Chapter 18 - Daniel's Offer
Two days before the major custody hearing, Daniel asked to settle.
His attorney sent the proposal.
Daniel would agree to divorce.
I would receive primary custody.
He would accept scheduled visitation.
He would waive any claim to the apartment.
In exchange, I would not pursue the financial fraud issues further.
I read the offer twice.
Six months earlier, I might have accepted just to make the fighting stop.
Sofía watched me carefully.
“What do you think?”
“I think he is afraid.”
“Yes.”
“Why now?”
“Because his financial exposure is getting worse.”
I thought about Camila.
“I want peace.”
“So do I.”
“But not the kind where he walks away from what he did.”
Sofía nodded.
We rejected the offer.
That evening, Daniel called from another unknown number.
I answered.
“Why?”
His voice sounded exhausted.
“Why what?”
“Why won't you let this end?”
I almost laughed.
“You had many chances to end it.”
“I made mistakes.”
“You forged my signature.”
“My mother pressured me.”
“You let Camila sit outside.”
“I didn't know how long she'd been there.”
“You saw her.”
Silence.
“You tried to sell my apartment.”
“I was fixing the loan.”
“You hired someone to follow me.”
“I thought you were cheating.”
“No.”
I looked out the window.
“You thought I was useful.”
He didn't answer.
For the first time, I understood something.
Daniel was not sorry because he had hurt us.
He was sorry because he had lost control.
Before hanging up, he said.
“You think tomorrow ends this?”
“What does that mean?”
“You'll see.”
The next morning, Sofía called before sunrise.
Daniel had filed a new emergency petition.
He alleged I intended to move Camila out of Mexico for work.
His evidence was an old email from my company discussing a possible six-month assignment in Miami.
The assignment had been declined.
By me.
Eight months earlier.
But Daniel included only the first page.
Not my refusal.
“He's desperate,” Sofía said.
“He's trying to delay the custody decision.”
Then she went quiet.
“What?”
“There is something else.”
Daniel had emptied the last joint account.
Not my salary account.
A joint savings account containing 210,000 pesos.
He transferred the money overnight.
“Where?”
“We don't know yet.”
I stared at Camila sleeping beside me.
Daniel had rejected accountability.
Rejected cooperation.
Rejected every chance to stop.
May you like
Now there would be no private settlement.
Tomorrow, everything would be placed in front of the judge.
