Chapter 22 #2
Truthfully, if he were trying to move Chloe into a two-“parent” household, it would likely strengthen his case, despite the circumstances of how the relationship started with this other woman.
But Korey said, “Yes…well, it’s complicated.”
So I moved on. Because it was better for us if we didn’t clarify things. Hopefully, the judge would focus more on the “it’s complicated” than on the “yes.”
“Your work is mandating that you relocate?” I asked.
Again, Korey hesitated. I noticed it, and I was sure a judge would.
But he said yes a second later, and then his beady eyes shot to his lawyer, as though he knew he was about to do something he shouldn’t.
“Look, I simply don’t believe that Natalie is able to provide the necessary care for Chloe, given her other responsibilities. ”
I would be circling back to his work relocation, but right now, we needed to set other things straight.
“And what responsibilities are those?”
“Work responsibilities.”
I wished I could have rolled my eyes.
“It has already been determined that my client’s work responsibilities have not changed from those she had during your marriage, at which point, according to yourself, she was already taking the lead in the matters involving childcare.
” I gave him a pointed look, saw Keller opening his mouth out of the corner of my eye, no doubt to object to my statement, and quickly added, “But we’re here to discuss you, Mr. Abrams. What do your working hours entail? ”
“I work a standard nine-to-five position.”
“But with work trips on the weekend,” I muttered before quickly launching a question. “Any other unusual or late hours?”
He shrugged. “Occasionally, but I would, of course, prioritize Chloe’s needs if she was staying with me full-time.”
“And what are Chloe’s needs?”
Korey considered me, picking up a coffee cup that had been sitting in front of him and taking a long sip.
Part of me suspected nothing was in there.
“I’m not sure what you mean by that,” he said finally.
Of course he wouldn’t.
“Can you list some of Chloe’s childcare needs that you provide or would provide for?”
“Such as…picking her up from school?”
“Yes,” I said, succinct. “That would be one example.”
“I don’t currently do that, but I would if she were to live with me full-time.”
I mean, I should fucking hope so.
“Does the local school district not provide transportation to and from home?”
He frowned. “I am sure they likely do, if Chloe would prefer to take the bus.”
“You don’t know if they do?”
His frown deepened. “I haven’t checked on that specifically yet, no. But there is an excellent private school system that I’d be enrolling Chloe in.”
I nodded. “What else?”
“Objection.” Keller sounded bored. “Vague.”
Yes, Korey certainly had a vague idea of his childcare responsibilities.
“Does Chloe participate in any extracurriculars that you’ve been involved in?” I clarified.
“Yes.” Pathetic man seemed smug that he knew the answer for once. “She’s learning to ice-skate.”
“Where?”
“Bay figure skating club,” he answered after an elongated pause.
Ah, close. So close.
“Back Bay Skating,” I corrected.
“That’s what I said.”
I’d been wondering when the gaslighting would begin.
“Would Chloe be able to continue at Back Bay if she were to move with you to Springfield?”
“It’s a possibility. If she would prefer that, I could drive her there once a week.”
“Is that how often she practices?”
“About that, yeah.”
Chloe had practice at least twice a week, but the judge would be provided with that information separately.
“Have you attended her practices? Competitions? Shows?”
“I have.”
He was really trying to save face, but it wouldn’t work.
“How many?”
“A couple practices.”
“To clarify, two?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Once last week and another the week before that.”
“So, after you filed for more custody?”
Korey looked like he wanted to snap my neck despite the tight grin on his face. His pale skin had a flush working across it.
“Yes.”
For a split second, emotion wormed its way through my professional defense walls, making my heart ache for Chloe.
She deserved a father who actually showed up for her.
I was thankful she at least had uncles and other family members who did, but damn, this man had failed his daughter in so many ways. And it pissed me the fuck off.
“With the distance, how would you manage it if she had practice more than once a week?”
He crossed his arms over his chest, struggling to maintain the fake nonchalance. “There is a private skating club around Springfield.”
“What is it called?”
“I—” Korey’s voice cut out. “I…I can’t remember at the moment.”
Figures.
“What else are you involved in?”
“What else are you curious about?” he shot back.
There were so many things left. He realized that, right? He realized everything that went into being a parent, didn’t he?
“Do you typically attend parent–teacher conferences?”
“No, but I would.”
A defensive tone snuck into his response, but I didn’t need his excuses.
“Just a yes or no is fine,” I said before asking, “Do you attend field trips?”
“No.”
“Do you attend doctor appointments?”
“No.”
“Do you manage Chloe’s medical prescriptions?”
“No.”
Korey Abrams continued to say no for most of the morning.
And damn if it wasn’t satisfying getting to prove how pathetically incompetent he was.