Chapter 14 - The Final LedgerJudge Miller adjusted his papers and read the final rulings into the court record:
"First: The real property located at Unit 3B is affirmed as sole and separate property of Maya Lin. Respondent has zero equity claim."
"Second: The respondent, Garrett Cole, shall execute a full release of all marital asset claims, including petitioner’s retirement accounts, tech stock options, and personal property."
"Third: The respondent is ordered to pay full restitution to the petitioner in the amount of seventy-nine thousand, eight hundred and sixty dollars—reflecting both the joint account dissipation and the fraudulent credit line."
"Fourth: Respondent shall assume one hundred percent of the debt incurred under the fraudulent credit line and indemnify Ms. Lin from any liability."
Garrett sat frozen in his chair, his eyes wide with shock. Seventy-nine thousand dollars. He had no savings, no job offer on the horizon, and a pending criminal inquiry hanging over his head.
"Court is adjourned," Judge Miller declared, hitting his gavel once more.
As the judge exited the courtroom, Garrett turned to his lawyer, his voice cracking with hysteria. "How am I supposed to pay eighty thousand dollars?! I don't have eighty thousand dollars!"
Mr. Miller sighed, closing his briefcase. "Garrett, your priority right now isn't the civil restitution. Your priority is retaining a criminal defense attorney before the DA issues an indictment."
Lorraine rushed up to the wooden barrier separating the gallery from the counsel tables. "Garrett! Don't worry, sweetie! We'll appeal this! We'll sell Tabitha's business assets! We'll—"
"With what assets, Lorraine?" I asked smoothly, standing up from my table and packing my iPad into my handbag.
Lorraine spun around to face me, her eyes bloodshot with rage. "You vile, ungrateful creature! You ruined him! He loved you!"
"He loved my salary, Lorraine," I corrected her, walking toward the aisle. "And you loved using my home as your family piggy bank."
"You think you won?!" Lorraine spat, her voice echoing in the emptying courtroom. "You're going to end up alone! Rigid, bitter, and alone in that empty apartment!"
May you like
I stopped, turned around, and looked at Lorraine with absolute calm.
"The apartment isn't empty, Lorraine," I said quietly. "It's free of debts, lies, and uninvited guests. And for the first time in four years, I can hear myself think."
