Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 47579 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47579 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
When the purple monkey stared at her with knowing eyes, Caroline chose to get motivated. She slid out of bed and spread the covers up into place. With the task complete, she jumped in the shower to wake herself up.
With a cup of most writers’ favorite fuel in her hand, Caroline wandered into the spare bedroom to reread what she’d written yesterday and see what she’d come up with today. Taking a sip of the coffee, she started her computer and checked her email. Unfortunately, she found an email from Adam. She clicked to open it and scanned the message.
It was ugly. She barely stopped herself from trashing it. Keeping it was wiser. Slumping in her chair, she read it again.
So your true colors have really come out now. Whoring yourself with an entire motorcycle club? That’s lower than I would have expected. After I spent the night outside your condo waiting for you to come home, it’s obvious you had other men to deal with. I’m attaching a letter from my lawyer. I’m taking you back to court for a higher percentage of your royalties. You owe me for keeping a roof over your head while you wrote that trash.
Adam
Horrified by his language toward her, Caroline clicked the attachment and read the legalese. Adam’s fancy lawyer advertised he was a bulldog for men who faced nasty divorces. Her attorney had rolled her sleeves up and defended Caroline’s interests while simultaneously rolling her eyes at his antics. Caroline would have to contact her. And pay the money to stop this move in its tracks.
No one had ever clued her in that books produced while you had a husband were considered marital assets. As the spouse of an author, Adam had a right to some of the money she earned on anything she’d written while they were together. This would never end if she didn’t shut him down now. He’d come back year after year, wanting more.
After fortifying herself with another sip, she searched through her contacts and pulled up her lawyer’s number.
“Dunworthy Esquire. How may I help you?”
The legal secretary’s crisp voice made her smile. “Hi, Elizabeth. It’s Caroline Sweets.”
“Hi, Caroline. I’m glad to hear your voice, but I’m guessing this is bad news.”
“Yes. I got an email from my ex-husband stating he was taking me to court for a higher percentage of my royalties. Could I make an appointment with Teresa?” she asked, naming her attorney.
“Of course. She has an opening this afternoon. A client canceled. Do you want to come in at two?”
“Yes, please, Elizabeth.”
“I’ve added you to Teresa’s schedule. Forward that email over to her with your ex’s lawyer’s name so she can prepare.”
“On it. Thank you for your help.”
Caroline dropped her head into her hands after disconnecting. Why did he have to be such a jerk? Her lawyer had recommended delaying the publication of any additional books for a year after the divorce. That way, Adam couldn’t claim she’d written them while married to him. Without new books generating income, Caroline had worried about having enough money to cover her rent and expenses. If Adam got more of her dwindling earnings now, she’d have to skimp on everything to pay her bills.
Worst of all, she risked losing readers who would turn to another author while she had to wait so long to produce another book. Caroline crossed her fingers. Please don’t forget about me.
Suddenly, writing held no appeal. She closed her laptop with a snap and walked out of her makeshift office. Pacing across the family room carpet, she seethed with anger. How dare he! Adam must be trying to impress another floozy and wanted her money to do it.
She should hire a private investigator. A real sleuth who could document all the crap he did. How did anyone go about finding someone to stalk a lowlife and get proof he was a complete jerk?
Caroline ran back to the office to grab her phone. The second her hand picked up the device, it rang. Without thinking, she tossed it into the air like it was a scorpion about to kill her. “Ahh!” As her scream echoed in the small space, Caroline tried to catch her tumbling phone. To her relief, it landed on the leather couch.
“Caroline? Is something wrong?” Wraith’s deep voice sounded concerned. Somehow, she’d accepted the call when it rang.
“I dropped the phone. Hold on!” she called as she grabbed the device and unlocked it. When she had it securely in her hands, she pressed the speaker button. “It’s okay. I’ve got it.”
“What’s going on, Precious?”
“You don’t have time for this, Wraith, and it definitely isn’t your problem. I’ll handle it.”
“You have two seconds to start talking or I’m headed home to spank your bottom beet red.”
That wasn’t a good visual image. She blabbed. “I got a message from Adam, my ex. He’s going back to court to grab a higher percentage of my royalties.”