Chapter 4He Lost Everything For A Child That Was Not His

Ms. Ellis helped me compile all the evidence.

The transaction records, the texts, the hotel bills, the car receipt, the property transfer.

It was 127 pages of undeniable fact.

She said, “It’s more than enough. We can file.”

“How long will this take?” I asked.

“If he’s uncooperative, maybe three to six months.”

“What about Leo’s support in the meantime?”

“We’ll file a motion for temporary orders. The court can mandate he pay interim child support.”

“How much?”

“Based on the statutory guidelines, likely five to seven thousand dollars a month.”

I nodded.

Patrick hadn't contacted me in days. His social media, however, continued to update.

Beach, restaurant, hotel, theme park.

In the photos, Savannah was beaming.

I screenshotted them all.

Then I drove to the Riverwalk Residences.

Unit 1502. The door was closed.

I rang the bell. No answer.

I asked the security guard: “Who lives in 1502?”

“A couple. The man is in his thirties, the woman is in her twenties.”

“When did they move in?”

“Two years ago.”

Two years ago.

Leo was four.

Patrick had been "working late" and "traveling for business."

He’d told me I had it easy, staying home with the baby, compared to his corporate grind.

Now I knew the truth.

He wasn't grinding.

He was here.

With Savannah.

I waited outside the complex until 8:00 p.m.

Patrick’s car—the one he bought before we were married—pulled into the parking garage.

Savannah was in the passenger seat.

They got out, holding hands, and walked toward the tower lobby.

I followed them. I slipped into the elevator just before the doors closed.

Patrick’s face went white when he saw me.

“Eliza…”

“Patrick,” I said, my voice steady. “We need to talk.”

Savannah looked from me to him. “Who is this?”

“I’m his wife,” I stated clearly. “More accurately, his not-yet-divorced wife.”

The elevator opened on the 15th floor.

I followed them into 1502.

The condo was beautifully decorated. Minimalist, high-end furniture, a massive flat-screen TV in the living room. Everything we were supposed to have.

I looked around.

“You bought this place, Pat?”

Patrick remained silent.

“Purchased two years ago. Total price, four hundred thousand. Down payment of one hundred twenty thousand. Loan for two hundred eighty thousand.”

“The down payment money? That was our community property.”

“The mortgage payments for the last two years—eighteen thousand a year, thirty-six thousand dollars total—also community property.”

“One hundred fifty-six thousand dollars, total. I want it back.”

Patrick’s face was dark with fury. “Are you crazy? I bought this house! Why would I give you any of it?”

“Marital law, Pat. Any property acquired during the marriage with community funds is community property. You gifting this to a third party is the malicious transfer of assets, and I have the right to demand its return.”

Savannah shrieked. “That’s a lie! Patrick gave this apartment to me!”

I turned to her. “Did you know he had a wife and a six-year-old son?”

She looked down, silent.

I continued, my voice low and cutting. “Did you know he only offered his son five hundred dollars a month for support?”

“But he gave you four thousand a month.”

“He bought you a forty-five-thousand-dollar BMW.”

“He bought you this half-million-dollar condo.”

“Don’t you feel any shame?”

Savannah was trembling.

Patrick suddenly roared, “Eliza! Enough! You came here to threaten us, didn't you?”

“I’m telling you, it won’t work!”

“I bought the place, it’s in my name, and you can’t touch it!”

“The money? I don’t have it! Sue me! I won’t give you a single cent!”

I looked at him, and a genuine smile touched my lips.

“Patrick, you know what my biggest regret is?”

“That I was blind enough to marry a man like you.”

“Don't worry. I'm going to make sure you pay for everything.”

I turned and walked out. Just before the door clicked shut, I heard Savannah’s muffled sobs and Patrick’s rushed comfort: “Don’t cry, Babe. She’s just trying to scare you.”

Three days later, I gave him his surprise.