The week passed in a blur.
Jake spent most of it in the hotel suite. Ordering room service. Sleeping in a bed that didn't have broken springs. Getting used to the idea that his life had fundamentally changed.
The cars were delivered on Tuesday. The Ferrari, Bentley, and Rolls Royce now sat in a private garage Jake had rented for $5,000 a month. He hadn't driven any of them yet. Didn't even have the keys on him.
The clothes from Maison Luxe arrived Wednesday. Boxes and boxes of designer everything. Jake picked out a simple suit. Dark blue. It fit perfectly. Cost more than he used to make in three months.
He wore it Friday morning to court.
The family courthouse was downtown. Gray concrete building. Metal detectors at the entrance. People in various states of misery waiting in hallways.
Jake found the right courtroom. Department 7. Judge Anderson presiding.
He pushed through the doors.
Elena was already there.
She sat at a table on the left side with her lawyer. A woman in her forties. Expensive suit. Briefcase that probably cost what Jake's scooter was worth.
Elena wore a cream-colored dress. Designer. Hair and makeup done professionally. Diamond earrings catching the fluorescent light.
Victor sat in the gallery behind her. Arms crossed. Smirking.
They all turned when Jake walked in.
Elena's expression flickered. Surprise at the suit, maybe. Or confusion about where he'd gotten it.
Victor's smirk widened. He leaned forward and whispered something to Elena. She didn't smile.
Jake took a seat at the right-side table. No lawyer. He was representing himself.
Elena's lawyer noticed. Exchanged a glance with Elena. This would be easy.
The bailiff entered. "All rise. Department 7 of the Superior Court is now in session. The Honorable Judge Margaret Anderson presiding."
Everyone stood.
Judge Anderson walked in. Late fifties. Gray hair pulled back. The kind of face that had seen every domestic dispute imaginable and was tired of all of them.
She sat. Everyone else followed.
"We're here for the matter of Morrison versus Morrison." Judge Anderson opened a file. "Dissolution of marriage. Petitioner is Elena Morrison. Respondent is Jake Morrison." She looked up. "I see the respondent is here without counsel."
"Yes, Your Honor." Jake's voice was steady.
"You understand you have the right to legal representation, Mr. Morrison?"
"I do."
"And you're choosing to proceed without it?"
"Yes, Your Honor."
Judge Anderson made a note. "Very well. Counsel for the petitioner, please proceed."
Elena's lawyer stood. "Thank you, Your Honor. My name is Patricia Hastings, representing Mrs. Elena Morrison." She picked up a document.
"Your Honor, this is a straightforward case. The parties were married for three years. The marriage has irretrievably broken down. My client seeks dissolution and an equitable division of assets."
"Go on."
"Mrs. Morrison requests the marital residence, the vehicle registered in both names, and half of any joint savings or accounts." Patricia glanced at Jake. "Mr. Morrison has demonstrated a pattern of financial instability.
He works as a delivery driver earning minimum wage. My client, by contrast, is a successful professional with a stable income. She maintained the household during the marriage while Mr. Morrison contributed very little financially."
Jake said nothing. Just listened.
"Furthermore," Patricia continued, "Mr. Morrison has no significant assets. No property. No investments. No savings beyond a meager joint account.
My client is not seeking alimony despite her clear financial advantage. She simply wants what's fair. The apartment they shared. The vehicle. And her rightful share of their minimal savings."
Judge Anderson looked at Jake. "Mr. Morrison, do you wish to respond?"
Jake stood. "Your Honor, I don't contest the divorce itself. The marriage is over. I accept that."
Elena's posture relaxed slightly.
"As for the assets," Jake continued, "she can have the apartment. It's a rental anyway. The lease is in her name. And she can have the car. It's not worth much, but if she wants it, fine."
Patricia's smile was thin. Victorious. This was going exactly as planned.
Victor leaned back in his seat. Crossed his arms. Looking satisfied.
Judge Anderson made notes. "The respondent agrees to the petitioner retaining the vehicle and apartment lease. What about the joint savings account?"
"She can have that too," Jake said.
Elena actually smiled. A small, cruel thing. She'd won. Got everything and he'd just rolled over.
Patricia shuffled her papers. "Your Honor, I believe that settles the asset division. We request the court grant the dissolution and..."
"One moment." Judge Anderson held up a hand. She looked at Jake over her reading glasses. "Mr. Morrison, you're giving up all marital assets without contest?"
"The ones she listed, yes."
"I need to ask for the record. Do you have any other assets to declare? Any property, investments, accounts, or income not already mentioned?"
The courtroom went quiet.
Patricia was still smiling. There was nothing else. Jake was broke. Everyone knew it.
Elena turned to whisper something to Victor. Probably about celebrating after this was over.
Judge Anderson waited. "Mr. Morrison?"
Jake reached into his jacket. Pulled out a folded document.
"Actually, Your Honor, I do."
Patricia's smile faltered.
Elena's whisper died mid-sentence.
Jake walked forward. His footsteps echoed in the silent courtroom. He placed the document on the judge's bench.
"This is a statement from my personal checking account. Dated this morning."
Judge Anderson unfolded it. Her eyes scanned the page.
Then stopped.
Her eyebrows went up.
She looked at Jake. Then at the paper. Then back at Jake.
"Mr. Morrison, is this accurate?"
"Yes, Your Honor."
Patricia stood. "Your Honor, what is this? We've disclosed all accounts. There was no mention of..."
Judge Anderson slid the paper across her bench.
Patricia picked it up.
Started reading.
Her face went white.
Elena noticed the change. "What? What is it?"
Patricia didn't answer. She just stared at the paper.
Elena stood up. Grabbed it from her lawyer's hand.
Her eyes scanned down the page. Found the number at the bottom.
**ACCOUNT BALANCE: $10,647,891.34**
Elena's mouth fell open.
The paper slipped from her fingers.
Victor was on his feet. He snatched the paper from where it fell. Read the number.
His face turned red.
"What the hell..." Victor's voice came out strangled.
Judge Anderson's gavel came down once. Sharp. "Order."
But it was too late.
Patricia was shaking her head. "This can't be real. This has to be fraud or..."
Elena just stared at Jake. Eyes wide. Disbelieving.
Jake stood there. Calm. Waiting.
The courtroom erupted.