Chapter 5

Serena smiled and chuckled. “Those boys were so impressionable back then. That was such a fun time, wasn’t it?” she said, reminiscing about the memories they had shared.

“It brought us together, along with the other Vixen Circle members. The bonds we formed back then have only made us stronger,” Emma emphasized. Glancing at her phone, she added, “I need to get back to work. I’ll be in touch later. Bye, sweetie.”

“Thanks for everything, Emma,” Serena said warmly.

Emma, true to her word, handled the legwork for the proceedings. When they hit a roadblock, she invited Serena over to discuss the final hurdle with her attorney, Briana.

“Dave’s attorney isn’t the easiest person to work with,” Briana began. “He’s not above using dirty tactics to get his way. Despite the odds being stacked against him, he’s determined to make this about your shortcomings. He plans to paint you as the cause of the problems, accusing you of denying your husband sex and driving him into the arms of another. He’s willing to drag your reputation through the mud and knowing how much you care for Carter, he won’t hesitate to try to take him from you.”

“Unbelievable,” Serena sighed, her frustration evident. “What’s he hoping to achieve? I won’t let him drag Carter into this. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him out of it.”

“That’s what they’re counting on; taking advantage of a caring mother,” Briana noted. “He wants the house, not to live in it, but to sell it. It’s all part of some twisted revenge. The only silver lining is that Dave says he’ll agree to the original settlement if he can meet with you privately to present an amendment to the offer.”

Serena’s brows furrowed in curiosity, wondering what he could possibly want in exchange for his outrageous demands. “Do you have any more details?” she asked.

“No, sadly not,” Briana replied. “It caught his attorney by surprise, too, when he brought it up. Still, it might not hurt to meet with him and see what he’s after. He insists it be private, though.”

“Okay, I’ll do it,” Serena agreed, resolute in her decision to settle everything once and for all.

Two days later, Serena dropped Carter off at Emma’s house, where he would stay while she met with Dave at her own home.

When her husband arrived, she cordially invited him in to discuss his proposal. After an awkward silence, Serena, eager to get it over with, asked, “So, what’s this mysterious offer you can’t even share with your attorney?”

Dave sighed, clearly conflicted, and stated, “I’d like Carter to live with Sharon and me.”

Serena, stunned by the unexpected request, shot back, “You’ve barely been a part of his life all these years. Why would you want to take an interest now?”

He hesitated, bracing for her reaction, knowing it would only make things worse. Finally, he spoke, “It’s more for Sharon’s sake. She’s worried about the care a newborn will need, and she could use some help.”

“Seriously?” Serena exclaimed, disbelief dripping from her voice. “You want to use your son as a babysitter? I can’t believe you would even suggest such a thing.”

“It’s not like that’s all he’d do,” Dave tried to clarify, though it only seemed to make matters worse. “I’ll hire a nanny, so he probably won’t need to do anything. Look, you won’t be able to afford to enroll him in a decent university anyway, and I’ll make sure he gets into the school of his choice. It’s just for three years until he graduates, and honestly, the rewards will be worth it.”

The prospect of Carter choosing his college struck a raw nerve; she knew Dave was using it as leverage. Still, she was determined to do what was best for her son. “I’ll propose it to him, but I can’t guarantee he’ll agree,” she said, feeling a surge of guilt for giving in to his demands. “What happens if he refuses?”

“If he decides to stay with you, without you influencing him, I’ll stick to the original deal. I just want you to focus on how he’ll be able to attend a school of his choice, without mentioning the part about the baby,” he said, his expression hopeful.

Serena’s stomach churned, but she kept her composure, replying, “I don’t like deceiving him, but I do want what’s best for him. I’ll agree to your terms and talk to him tonight. I’ll let Briana know afterward about his decision.”

After picking Carter up from Emma’s, they stopped to eat at a diner before heading home. Later that evening, after their showers and while sitting on the couch, Serena carefully chose her words, beginning, “Carter, I have something important to ask you regarding the divorce. Your father has offered to pay for any university you desire if you move in with him and Sharon. It’s a great opportunity, and I don’t want you to feel obligated to stay with me. If you decide…”

“Stop, Mom,” Carter interjected, cutting her off mid-sentence. “I’m not leaving you. And if it comes down to you not wanting me to stay, I still wouldn’t move in with him.”

She sighed in relief, but to reassure him further, she continued, “I’d never force you to leave, dear. But, to be honest, I can’t afford to put you through an expensive school. I want you to consider what’s best for you. I won’t stand in the way of your success.”

He didn’t need to think about it. Turning to her, he hugged her tightly. “I’m not leaving you, Mom. I don’t care about some fancy college. I’ll never forgive him for treating you the way he did and I never want to see that fucking loser again.”

“Language, dear,” she gently reprimanded him, her heart swelling as she smiled, touched by his raw emotions.

She relayed the news to Emma and waited anxiously for a response. It arrived the next day.

“I just got off the phone with Briana,” Emma reported. “His attorney accuses that Carter was coerced and insists he present his own statement to the judge.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Serena replied, exasperated. “The whole point was to keep him out of this, and now he’s being dragged into it.”

“At least the judge is considering his age and wants to speak with him privately, with only the attorneys present,” Emma said, her tone reassuring. “He’s also allowing one person, other than you, to escort Carter. I already volunteered. Don’t worry, Serena, I’ll protect him like he’s my own. The judge scheduled it for after school tomorrow, so I’ll pick him up and take him,” Emma offered.

“Thanks so much, Emma,” Serena replied. “I know he’ll be in good hands with you. I’ll let him know tonight.”