Chapter 17

*Baxter and Porter and Associates* Mia read the golden signboard hanging low on the entrance door. She sucked in a breath and pushed the door forward. She nervously muttered greetings to the five other people sitting in the waiting room. An elderly couple with silver streaks in their hair, holding hands were the only ones to reciprocate.

Mia made no fuss. The remaining three people were busy folded up in their own corners scrolling through their cell phones. The clanking of her heels against the pale tiles flooded her auditory senses to the point that vision blurred. She leaned against the front desk, a receptionist immediately smiling to welcome her.

“Do you have an appointment today?” the middle aged, red head pushed her glasses further up on her nose. An instinct she’d developed from wearing glasses for more than half of her life. She felt the need to be extra nice to this potential client. After years of working in a Law Firm you tend to develop and hone people reading skills.

“I do, it’s under Mia Evans.” She clutched the handles of her handbag until her knuckles were bleached white. Her eyes trained on the daily planner sprawled out on the desk. Her throat tingling, and her tongue sticking to the roof of her mouth.
Betty knew a trapped woman when she saw one. The puzzle pieces making sense when she saw Mia’s appointment was with the Family Law department.

“Yes, I see your appointment here.” Betty said, “Please have a seat and I will inform you when the attorney assigned to you is available.” She continued, gesturing at the waiting area being them. Mia turned to gaze back at the area and nodded.

“Thank you.” She smiled, her hands trembling legs had no feeling as her eyes scanned the waiting area for a seat. Was anyone able to see her knees buckling beneath her?

‘Nerves were good, Mia.’ She’s seated herself closer to the elderly couple. Nervous were exactly what she needed to remember how badly she wanted to be free of her husband. Ten minutes hadn’t gone by when Mia was called in. Betty led her down a hallway, her eyes scanning different doors flanking either side of her.

“This is it.” Betty stopped in front of a door that had a plaque hanging on the outside. “She is waiting for you.” Betty said, pulling door for Mia to enter. She was only able to catch the first name on the door; Nylah.
The room was awash in grey and orange. A different aura altogether from the main areas that were bleak and sombre in whites and blues. Mia wondered if each member was able to customize their space.

“Good day Mrs. Evans.” The attorney had risen from behind her desk to greet Mia. Her slender frame imposing a shadow over Mia’s features. She extended her right arm. Mia gazed down at the perfectly manicured nails, sculpted to a point and glittering. She’d always thought that wasn’t allowed for most professional women. She was wrong.
Mia took her outstretched hand and shook it, “Good day.” She repeated.

“My name is Nylah Boudoir.” She was a slender goddess, neat shoulders and hips. She had dark hair flowing down her shoulders and back in a straight line. Not a strand was out of place. Her face was framed by two thick eyebrows, neatly lined to perfection, a flat nose and full sensual lips.
A stark contrast to Mia, who was five feet 2 inches, had wild luminous waves falling like a waterfall around her shoulders. Her shoulders and hips broader.

“Please take a seat.” Nylah gestured to the empty leather chair in front of Mia. Both women sank into the seat simultaneously.

“What can I help you with today?” Nylah took to rolling a pen around in her hand. Her black jacket falling open to reveal a white turtle neck sweater tucked into a solid black pencil skirt.

“I want to divorce my husband.” Mia spoke up. Those words haunting her. She couldn’t wait for the day where she could say she actually was divorced from him.

“Sounds simple enough.” Nylah pulled out a sheet of paper and began scribbling on it.

“How long did the marriage last?” she questioned her eyes down.

“Six years.” Mia answered. Six years of her life she had wasted.

“Are they any children born of the union?” Naylah was quick, the questions at the top of her head. In divorce proceedings they were some general information that was required.

“One.” Mia’s shoulders were relaxing.

“Any children from previous relationships?” Mia’s mind ran to Taylor and her deceased child. Her stomach turned.

“None that I know of.” Mia answered truthfully, for all she knew, he could have fathered other children without her knowledge.
“The ground for the divorce is the irreparable breakdown of the marriage. Under that single ground there are different heads that we can choose from to show the courts why the marriage has broken down irreparably. For instance, if your husband has committed adultery then our petition will be that the marriage has broken down irreparably on account of your husband’s adultery. Although, it’s always advised never to go on adultery as the first choice because it has a high standard of proof. ” Nylah explained slowly.

“What are the other heads?” Mia questioned. Despite Gabriel’s wandering parts she preferred something that will incite less drama for herself.
“Don’t worry about that, based on the information I get from you I will lump it into the one that’s best suited.” Nylah replied.

“Are you employed?” she resumed with the questions. “I will ask general information before we go into the particulars of your marriage and why you want out, if that’s okay?” she checked for Mia’s approval.

“Sure. I am teacher at a private school.” Mia responded, giving her the name and address.

“What about your husband, what does he do?” Nylah continued to scribble on her paper.
Mia inhaled, she told Nylah of her husband and his business, wondering if she had ever heard of him.

“Great.” She took a break from writing and looked up at Mia. “Usually, the courts find it difficult to award reliefs to spouses where the marriage is a short one and unfortunately, six years is short in the eyes of the court. However,” she piped up. “The fact of there being a child of the family may change that view of the courts, making your husband liable to provide for you and your child to upkeep the lifestyle you have been accustomed to during the marriage.” Nylah explained, by being married to a Millionaire, Mia would have been afforded a life she never would have had on her own with the job she worked.

“I am not interested in having any of his financial help in the event of the divorce.” Mia wanted a clean break. She wanted him out of her life and her daughters.

“It is recommended that you do still ask for it in your pleadings. Also, the courts will mandate that he maintain the child until she attains the age of majority or for however long she is a dependent.” She paused, “for the sake of your child and to ensure she never lacks anything, it is in her best interest to ask for these reliefs just in case the father decides not to contribute.”

“I see.” Mia was taking it all in. The wheels in her head spinning.

“But before all of that, the first step would be of course to deal with the divorce proceedings.” Nylah was about to circle back on the divorce, the matters dealing with children were usually dealt with after the first hearing.

“Before we discuss that, can you advise me on the likelihood of my daughter staying in my custody?” Mia’s hands were shaking.

“Sometimes couples do a consent order setting out their own terms, do you think your husband will contest?” Nylah questioned. Most men didn’t, they found it easier to pay a monthly fee and go on about their lives. Mia nodded. Gabriel would try everything in his power to hurt her, including dragging their daughter into their argument. He would never let her leave easily.

“Sure. I will need to ask a few more questions. Usually, custody and care is given to the parent who can upload the child’s quality of life. If by staying with one parent will diminish that child’s life and cause displacement the courts will choose the other parent in the event of a custody battle.” Nylah explained before turning over another sheet of paper.

“You said you work in a private school, can you tell me your income details?” This was the first of a line of questions. She asked about Amiyah’s age, her expenses, and the education she would likely receive among other things.
Nylah leaned back in her chair, her eyes on her notes. “Do you have your own home?”

“No, I am currently staying with my sister and her boyfriend, but I do intend to get my own space in the future.” Mia was adamant. She would do whatever it takes.

“Here is why I am concerned about the likelihood of Amiyah’s custody being given to you. Your husband will be able to show that he has the means to provide Amiyah with a comfortable living space, address any school needs she may have and also even if he is working, he can afford to have someone look after her. Your financial means are barely enough to afford her with the life she would have gotten if she stayed with her father. The courts will look at things such as access to health care and education, including tutors, and her general comfort.” Nylah looked at Mia expectantly.

“Are you saying my chances are low?” Mia’s heart sank. Was there nothing she could do?
Nylah nodded. “If we get lucky during the custody battle, then you may get shared custody, but if your husband is as adamant as you say, being the affluent man that he is, he certainly has an advantage.”

“Do you think he will deny you access altogether?” She questioned, Mia’s face turning pale.

“Can he even do that?” How could the courts ever think to separate a child from its mother.

“In some circumstances, he can.” Nylah cleared her throat. Mia’s heart dropped to the base of her stomach.