I Was His Substitute Bride Chapter 14
“Your Honor, as the legal representative for the defendant, Mr. Spencer Prescott, I now present the following arguments on behalf of my client and respectfully request the court’s consideration. My client firmly opposes the divorce. We believe the marital relationship between the plaintiff and the defendant has not irretrievably broken down. There is still a possibility and a foundation for reconciliation. First, looking at the basis of the marriage, the parties share deep affections and did not enter the union hastily…”
The black words on the white paper suddenly blurred.
He’d written down all those little things Spencer had recounted.
Nothing more than her learning to cook for him, going out to play with him, wearing those silly matching couple’s outfits with him.
When he’d drafted this, Cole had sneered internally.
He’d seen cases like this a thousand times. Sweetness and light before the wedding. They’d even make a grand story out of sharing a milkshake. After the wedding, it always fell apart anyway.
But when these scenes of affection were mapped onto Victoria and Spencer, a wave of nausea and a metallic taste rose in his throat.
He was practically clawing his palms bloody. He stared intensely at me.
“…In summary, Your Honor, to give this once-happy family a chance to reunite, we earnestly request the court to carefully examine the facts and the law, dismiss the plaintiff’s petition for divorce, and grant both parties an opportunity to salvage their marriage.”
It was the defendant’s turn to add a statement. Spencer’s eyes were red. “Victoria, Blair and I really have nothing. She’s just a friend. I rented the cruise ship for her birthday at my parents’ behest. Everyone on that ship knows we’re completely innocent. They can all testify for me. If you don’t believe me, I’ll call Blair right now. I request court mediation.”
He looked like he’d been deeply wronged. “I just went out to sea. I didn’t vanish. If you suspected me, why didn’t you just ask?”
The judge turned to me. “The defendant has requested court mediation. Do you agree?”
Spencer really wouldn’t give up until he hit a wall.
Fine. Let him see his own heart clearly.
I nodded.
The speech in Cole’s hand suddenly slipped from his fingers. Fell to the floor at his feet.
