Rebecca slid a document toward him.
“According to the records you produced in discovery, the amount was one hundred twenty-seven thousand dollars. Is that correct?”
“If that’s what the records show.”
“Yes or no, Mr. Chen?”
“Yes.”
“And did you ask your wife’s permission before spending those funds on another woman while she was living in a rented apartment?”
“She’s not another woman,” he snapped. “She’s my fiancée.”
“The label is not the point,” Rebecca said. “The money is.”
Then came Vanessa.
At first she was composed, describing their relationship as though it had been some tragic, noble love that arrived too late in life. But under questioning, she came apart.
“When did Mr. Chen first tell you about his inheritance?” Rebecca asked.
“I don’t remember exactly.”
“Was it before or after your relationship began?”
Vanessa glanced at Robert.
“After.”
“How long after?”
“Maybe a few weeks.”
Rebecca placed printouts of text messages on the stand.
“These messages, obtained through subpoenaed phone records, show you discussing Mr. Chen’s uncle’s failing health in September, before his death. In one message, you wrote: Once you get that money, we can finally be together. Do you remember sending that?”
Vanessa went pale.
“That was out of context.”
“Did you send it?”
A long pause.
“Yes.”
No one spoke for a moment after that. The silence in the courtroom was heavier than any raised voice.
Judge Morrison ended proceedings for the day and said she would reconvene at nine the next morning for closing arguments and her ruling.
Outside the courthouse, Rebecca let out a slow breath.
“We got them,” she said.
For the first time in months, I believed her completely.
I arrived early the next day with Jessica and David beside me. Whatever happened now, I knew I had already survived the worst part: the humiliation of being told I was nothing. The rest was numbers and law.
Judge Morrison took her seat promptly at nine.
“I have reviewed the testimony and evidence,” she began. “I am prepared to rule.”
My heart pounded against my ribs, but my face remained still.
“First, regarding separate versus community property: Mr. Chen received an inheritance of 2.3 million dollars. Under California law, inheritance is generally separate property. However, Mr. Chen deposited these funds into a joint account held by both parties for three days before transferring them elsewhere. The moment those funds entered a community account, they became commingled.”
She looked at Robert over her glasses.
“Accordingly, I find that the inheritance, as handled in this case, is subject to equal division.”
Robert’s face drained of color.
“Second, regarding waste of assets: Mr. Chen spent one hundred twenty-seven thousand dollars on Miss Cooper during the marriage and separation period from commingled funds. This constitutes waste of community assets. That amount shall be charged against his share and awarded to Mrs. Chen.”
Vanessa half-rose from her seat in the gallery.
“This is ridiculous—”
“Sit down,” Judge Morrison said, without raising her voice, “or I will hold you in contempt.”
Vanessa sat.
“Third, the property at 1847 Maple Drive is titled solely in Margaret Chen’s name. It is her separate property. Mr. Chen has no claim to it.”
