Female NovelThe divorce settlement was something Lizetta had expected, but she was caught off guard by the extensive list of assets that were now part of the deal. It appeared as if her soon-to-be ex-husband, Remington, was trying to drown her in a sea of wealth-properties, mutual funds, stocks, a string of registered patents, and even cash and jewels. The property values alone seemed to hit the billion-dollar mark, not to mention everything else.
Moreover, Remington had agreed to a monthly alimony of $500,000. Lizetta was overwhelmed, to say the least.novelbin
"I don't need any of this," Lizetta tried to argue, looking across the coffee table at Mr. Barlow, her lawyer. "And the alimony... I..."
"Mrs. Dashiell," Mr. Barlow interrupted, "this is your rightful claim. Why on earth would you refuse? And as for the alimony, it's already less than what's typically expected. Mr. Dashiell insisted on this amount, fearing you might not accept more."
Lizetta was speechless. It was as if Remington thought he could just throw money at her and make everything okay.
She excused herself to make a phone call, stepping toward the floor-to-ceiling windows of the upscale Manhattan lawyer's office. Dialing Remington's number, she didn't have to wait long before he picked up. "Met with Mr. Barlow?" Remington's voice came through, casual as ever.
"What's the meaning of this, Remington? Are you trying to buy my forgiveness? Or do you think throwing all this at me will make everything alright?" Lizetta's frustration was palpable.
Remington's sigh was heavy. "It's not about compensation. I'm just trying to do this divorce the right way."
"And making me pay back $3 million last time was your idea of a joke? You never intended for us to split, did you?" Lizetta's voice was sharp, accusing.
"You think I care about that $3 million? Lizetta, you wanted this divorce. This is how it's done," Remington's voice was laced with exasperation.
The idea of suddenly being a wealthy single woman brought Lizetta no joy. "You think I won't use this money to live it up? I agreed not to date, but I never said anything about not enjoying life." "Go ahead and try," came Remington's dark chuckle.
Lizetta knew too well. Accepting Remington's money was accepting his control over her. "I came into the Dashiell family with nothing, and want to leave with nothing. I don't
want any part of your wealth or your
family's."
"Considering you've shared my bed and carry my child, leaving 'with nothing' isn't as simple as you make it sound," Remington's tone was mocking, almost cruel.
Lizetta felt her anger rise. "I've been called every name under the sun for over a decade because of you. I just want to cut ties cleanly! Can't you ever just listen and not be so damn overbearing?"
Taking the wealth felt wrong on so many levels, Not to mention, the moment Nathan Dashiell and Hanna caught wind of her newfound riches, they'd be knocking on her door and Remington's next wife certainly wouldn't be pleased about her share either.
"You're saying you don't want anything from me? Right now, it sounds like what you don't want the most is me and my affection," Remington's voice was low, his words stinging. "Yes! Exactly!" Lizetta's response was immediate and firm.
There was a silence, a heavy pause on the line, before the sound of an office door being pushed open broke the moment.
Stella, Remington's assistant, stepped into the room, unaware of the tension. "Remington, I've brought the documents you need to sign urgently..."
The interruption was a cruel reminder of their reality, a world where personal turmoil was always second to business demands.