Chapter 5 - The Custody Mirage
Cornered animals fight the hardest. Realizing his military career was effectively dead and his mistress was facing federal charges, Andrew decided to use the only leverage he thought he had left: Ethan.
David Vance called me with the news. Andrew had filed an emergency motion for primary physical custody, claiming I was "alienating" him from his son and citing his (now suspended) military status as proof of his stable, disciplined character. He was demanding exorbitant child support, hoping to use my wealth to fund his new, broke reality.
"He’s asking for fifty thousand a month in support," David said, sounding almost amused.
"Let him take it to court," I replied. "I want him on the stand. I want it all on the public record."
The preparation for the deposition was grueling, but I protected Ethan from all of it. I kept his routine normal, took him to his soccer games, and shielded him from the storm. Andrew, meanwhile, was unraveling.
During the deposition, Andrew sat across from me in David’s conference room, sweating through his cheap suit. Without his commander's uniform, without the Langford money propping him up, he looked small.
David Vance destroyed him piece by piece. He presented the emails between Andrew and Serena. He presented the financial documents proving Andrew was completely dependent on my assets.
And then, David pulled out the wild card.
"Commander Whitaker," David said, sliding a sworn affidavit across the table. "Do you recognize the name Petty Officer Thomas Harris?"
Andrew flinched. "He's a gate guard."
"Yes. And in this sworn affidavit, Petty Officer Harris states that on the morning of October 14th, you explicitly ordered him to deny your wife and child entry to the base because your mistress was in your office. Is this true?"
Andrew looked at his lawyer, panic in his eyes. His lawyer rubbed his temples, realizing he was backing a losing horse.
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"It was a misunderstanding," Andrew stammered.
"It was child neglect," David corrected sharply. "You abandoned your son at a security checkpoint to hide an illicit affair. We will see you in court, Commander."
