Eugene glanced at her, a dry chuckle escaping. “Ms. Johansen, I thought you were above material concerns. Just wanted out, clean and fast.”
“What’s mine is mine,” Rosalind countered. “Mr. Benitez, since you’re so invested in this divorce, the asset split is your responsibility. If I don’t get sixty percent, it’s on your lack of effort.”
“Reverse psychology?” Eugene scoffed. “Any other demands? Lay them out. I’ll draft it all.”
Rosalind was silent for a moment.“I want custody.”
Eugene’s fingers froze over the keyboard. “You have a child?”
His gaze dropped involuntarily to her abdomen.
Rosalind pulled her coat tighter, obscuring her stomach.“Our dog. He comes with me,” she murmured.
It dated back to their passionate early days.
On their first Valentine’s Day together, while others gave roses, Christopher gave her a Westie puppy.
The tiny, white fluffball had just been weaned back then.
Now, he was a fifteen–year–old senior dog.
“He’s fifteen. That’s senior in a dog’s life. He has health issues. He’s blind. This house will have a new woman soon. I won’t trust anyone else to care for him properly. I have to take him.”
Eugene was quiet for a beat, his tone softening slightly.“And if Christopher uses your attachment to the dog against you? If he fights for custody just to make you choose? Do you leave without him? Or stay trapped here until the dog passes?”
Rosalind considered it.“I’d give up every penny. Just for the dog.”
Eugene stared at her for a long moment, lost in thought.
Rosalind prompted him, a faint smile playing on her lips. “Mr. Benitez, draft it. The dog is non–negotiable.”
Eugene snapped back. “You don’t need to give up the assets. If you want the dog, my advice is to move him out.
Now.”
Rosalind frowned.“Snowball’s too old, has too many health problems. Boarding him at a kennel isn’t safe. Friends are busy. They can’t handle daily care.”
Eugene responded instantly.“Bring him to me. I’m light on cases. I can take care of him.”
Rosalind eyed him skeptically. “Thought you were chasing your lady? Got time for a dog?”
Eugene turned to face her.“The woman I care for? She loves dogs.”
Buzz!
Rosalind’s phone vibrated.
She picked it up. Surprisingly, it was a WhatsApp message from Latoya.
19:52
12.5%%
< Chapter 14.
“Ms. Johansen! We just got stunning new pieces in! Truly unique designs. See anything you like
A cascade of jewelry photos followed, seemingly endless,
Eugene raised an eyebrow.“Thought you hated jewelry. Why the sales pitch?”
Rosalind ignored him, typing a reply to Latoya, “Working this late? No date with your boyfriend?”
Latoya texted, “Haha, gotta hustle! Men can wait.”
“Dedicated. I admire that.”
“Haha, well, my boyfriend does complain I never have time! But since you didn’t come in today, Ms. Johansen, I got off early! Spending the evening with him.”
“So my frequent visits got in the way?”
“No! Not at all! Please don’t think that! You’re our Platinum VIP! If anything in those pics catches your eye, know anytime! I’m available 24/7 for you!”
A mischievous impulse struck Rosalind. “Perfect. I’ll come by the store now to try some on. See what suits me. Can you meet me there?”
“Date? I’ll throw a wrench into Christopher’s plans,” she thought coldly.
< Chapter 15.
