Chapter 6 - The Paper Trail
Two days later, I sat in the office of Brenda Vance—a top family law attorney recommended to me by Linda Shaw.
The office was quiet, high above the bustling city streets of Atlanta. Brenda sat behind a wide oak desk, meticulously organizing a stack of financial documents, bank statements, and screen captures I had provided.
"You've brought me an incredible amount of documentation, Sarah," Brenda said, setting down her fountain pen. "In standard divorce proceedings, courts often deal with 'he-said, she-said' arguments regarding domestic contributions and financial deceit. But Mark has handed us an ironclad paper trail."
"What does this mean for the children?" I asked, my voice tight with anxiety. "I don't want him taking them on weekend trips when he can't even manage their basic safety."
"Mark's termination for cause, combined with the police incident report from Sunday night and the evidence of medical abandonment, severely damages his standing for joint custody," Brenda explained. "He took the family's sole means of transportation, leaving an infant with a medical condition stranded during a scheduled checkup. No family court judge in this state will look favorably on that."
She pulled out a fresh legal pad.
"We are filing for immediate temporary sole legal and physical custody, exclusive possession of the marital home, and emergency child support," Brenda declared firmly. "Furthermore, because Mark was terminated for gross misconduct, his loss of income will not excuse him from his financial obligations to his children."
Just as Brenda finished speaking, my phone buzzed on the desk.
It was a text message from Mark.
Sarah, please. Call me. They fired me. Everything is gone. Please don't do this to our family.
I looked at the message for a long moment, then flipped the phone face down on the desk.
May you like
"Are you ready to sign the initial filings, Sarah?" Brenda asked gently.
"Yes," I said, picking up the pen without a single shred of hesitation. "Let's finish it."
