Chapter 7 - THE DIVORCE HE NEVER BELIEVED WOULD HAPPEN
The first court hearing took place six weeks after Leo's birth.
I wore a simple navy dress.
My hair was tied back.
Sofia sat beside me.
Dante entered wearing a charcoal suit.
He looked thinner.
Older.
Exhausted.
When he saw me, he stopped.
“Bella.”
I nodded.
“Dante.”
He looked toward Leo's stroller.
“How is he?”
“Good.”
“Sleeping?”
“Mostly.”
Dante smiled faintly.
“That's something.”
Then the hearing began.
The judge reviewed the temporary arrangements.
The attorneys discussed financial disclosures, parenting time, and Leo's needs.
Dante's legal team did not contest my request to live separately.
They agreed to structured parenting arrangements while the case proceeded.
Afterward, Dante approached me.
“Can we talk?”
I hesitated.
Then nodded.
We stood near the courthouse windows.
“I'm not going to fight you over money,” he said.
I looked at him.
“Good.”
“And I'm not going to use Leo to punish you.”
I nodded.
“Good.”
He swallowed.
“But I don't want this divorce.”
My chest tightened.
“Dante.”
“I know.”
He looked away.
“I know I don't get to decide for both of us.”
For the first time, he sounded like a man who understood that marriage wasn't something he owned.
I looked at him.
“Then show me you understand.”
He nodded.
“How?”
“Respect my decision.”
His eyes filled.
May you like
Then he whispered:
“I will.”
