He Lost Everything For A Child That Was Not His

Patrick pointed to the divorce papers resting on the coffee table.
Child support, he said, tapping the screen with a dismissive fingernail. I put down five hundred.
I stared at the line of text, the number blurring.
Five hundred? Pat, are you serious?
Its enough, he clipped, sliding his gaze away. The kid isnt solely my responsibility, Eliza.
I laughed. A sharp, raw sound that caught in my throat and brought unexpected tears to my eyes.
Seven years of marriage. A six-year-old son, Leo.
And he declared five hundred dollars was "enough."
Sign it if you agree, or dont. Its up to you. He stood, snatching his phone off the arm of the sofa.
The phone immediately buzzed. A text message notification popped up on the screen.
The contact name read: Babe.
1
I didn't sign the agreement.
I told him I needed time to "consider."
Patrick huffed, utterly impatient. What is there to consider?
You pull in twelve thousand a month, Pat. Giving your son five hundred dollars for supportdoes that sound reasonable to you?
I have to live, too, he retorted.
Leo has to live, too.
Hes with you. You take care of his living expenses.
I drew a long, shaky breath, fighting the urge to shatter the cheap glass table between us.
Legally, child support is calculated at twenty to thirty percent of the non-custodial parents income. That means you should be paying between twenty-four hundred and thirty-six hundred dollars.
Thats the laws suggestion, Eliza. Its not my obligation.
The law defines your obligation.
He fell silent, his jaw tight. After a moment, his voice dropped to a low, cold register. Eliza, dont push me.
Im not pushing you. Im just demanding what my son is entitled to.
You want to drag this to court?
If you refuse to be reasonable, then court is where were going.
He glared at me, his eyes colder than Id ever seen them.
Fine. Youll regret this. He slammed the front door on his way out.
I sank back onto the sofa, staring at the printout. Child support: $500 per month.
Leo is six, in the first grade. Tuition for his magnet school is a couple hundred a month, the after-school program is another five hundred, and his weekend tutoring is at least seven hundred. Plus clothes, doctor visits, and just, life. I spend at least two thousand a month on him.
He was offering five hundred.
I make about forty-five hundred a month. After rent of fifteen hundred, my own basic bills, and Leos two thousand... theres practically nothing left.
Patrick makes twelve thousand. After deductions
Wait. Where was his money going?
I grabbed my laptop and logged into our joint savings account.
Patrick's direct deposit account. Balance: 0-0,800.
I felt a chill wash over me. He brings home twelve thousand a month. How could he only have eighteen hundred left?
I clicked on the transaction history.
The most recent transfer: November 28th, $4,000 to "Savannah T."
Memo: Living Expenses.
I scrolled up.
October 28th: $4,000 to "Savannah T."
September 28th: $4,000 to "Savannah T."
August 28th: $4,000 to "Savannah T."
The 28th of every month. $4,000 on the dot.
It had been going on for a full twelve months.
My hand clenched around the phone.
He gives Savannah four thousand dollars a month for living expenses.
He would only give his own son five hundred.
My phone chimed. It was Patrick.
Patrick: If you dont agree to $500, then its $300. I wont give you another penny. Figure it out.
I opened the Venmo app on my phone.
2
The Venmo history was far more detailed than the bank account. I saw the rest of the picture.
In addition to the monthly $4,000 wire transfer:
November 15th: Tiffany & Co. bracelet, 0-0,200.
November 20th: The Gilded Spoon Bistro, Couples Tasting Menu, 0-080.
November 22nd: The Fairmont Hotel, one night stay, $450.
October 10th: Prestige Motors, Down payment on a vehicle, 0-05,000.
I clicked on the 0-05,000 payment detail.
It was the down payment for a BMW 330ia sleek, nearly new model. The total cost was $45,000, with a loan for the remaining $30,000.
Owner of the car: Savannah T.
I sat there, perfectly still. My body felt heavy, hollowed out.
Leo ran out of his room, his hair mussed.
Mom, Im hungry.
I pulled him onto my lap, hugging him tight.
What do you want?
Can we get a pizza?
Absolutely.
I opened the delivery app and ordered a basic medium pepperoni pizza. $28.
Then I looked at Patricks Venmo history again.
November 25th: High-end Steakhouse, Surf-and-Turf Dinner for Two, $350.
That very day, I had cooked Leo a cheap box of mac and cheese.
It was the end of the month, my paycheck hadnt cleared, and I only had fifty dollars left in my checking account.
I called Patrick.
It rang for a long time before he answered. What do you want?
Leos tutoring fee is due next week. Seven hundred dollars.
Im broke.
What about your paycheck?
Spent it.
On what?
He paused for a few seconds.
My money is mine to spend however I choose, Eliza. You dont get to audit me.
You still have to cover the kid's expenses, Pat.
Didnt I give you a deposit for living expenses?
You give me two thousand a month! What am I supposed to do with that?
Figure it out yourself. He hung up.
I stared at the phone, a strange, hysterical urge to laugh welling up. I wanted to laugh until I wept.
Seven years of marriage.
Year one: I was pregnant, violently ill. He said he was too busy with work to care for me.
Year two: C-section delivery. He stayed at the hospital for two hours, said there was an emergency meeting, and left.
Year three: I quit my job to stay home with the baby. He said since I wasnt working, I was responsible for everything at home.
Year four: I wanted to go back to work. He said Leo was too little to be left with strangers.
Year five: I found a part-time job, making $3,000 a month. He said it was pitifully small, I should just stay home.
Year six: I insisted on working, pushing my salary up to $4,500. He said I still made less than him, so he was the one supporting the family.
Year seven: He wanted a divorce.
He had been cheating.
And he offered $500 for his son.
I sent him a text: I'd like to meet Savannah. Can we arrange that?
He replied instantly: What are you trying to pull, Eliza?
Nothing. Just want to talk. A conversation.
Dont you dare cause trouble.
I won't.
He texted me an address. The Riverwalk Residences, Tower 3, Unit 1502.
I looked up the complex. Upscale condos. Average price per square foot was astronomical. A hundred-square-meter unit would cost over half a million dollars.
Three years ago, Patrick had said we should buy a house. I offered the $20,000 my parents had gifted me for a down payment.
He said the money wasnt enough; we had to wait.
We never bought a house.
Now I knew why.
The money wasn't the problem. The buyer was the problem.
And this was just the beginning.
3
I didnt go find Savannah.
I went to see a lawyer.
Ms. Ellis, a sharp, composed woman, reviewed the materials Id compiled. The evidence is very strong, Eliza.
His transfer records to the third party, the car purchase records, the hotel staysall valid evidence.
Under marital law, you can demand the return of any community property funds he gifted to a third party during the marriage.
Twelve months, four thousand a month. Thats forty-eight thousand dollars.
The fifteen-thousand-dollar down payment on the car also counts as marital property. You can demand that back, too.
Thats sixty-three thousand dollars total.
In addition, since he is the party at fault for the dissolution of the marriage, you can demand a larger share of the remaining assets, as well as compensation for emotional distress.
I asked, And the child support?
His income is twelve thousand a month. The statutory baseline is twenty to thirty percent, twenty-four hundred to thirty-six hundred. Given Leos needs, I recommend we demand thirty-five hundred.
If he disagrees, we file suit, and the court will set the amount.
I nodded.
Ms. Ellis adjusted her glasses. Theres one other issue.
What is it?
Do you have any community assets? A house, a car, joint savings?
No house. The car he drives was purchased before we were married, and its titled only in his name.
Savings?
I have about eight thousand in my personal account, from my salary over the last few years. His account
I showed her the bank statement on my phone. Patricks balance: 0-0,800.
Ms. Ellis frowned. Hes been working for years, making twelve thousand a month. Theres no way he only has eighteen hundred dollars left.
Wheres the money?
I have no idea.
We need to investigate, she said. If hes been liquidating or transferring community property to hide it, the court can penalize him severely.
I left the law firm and drove straight to Patricks office building.
One of his colleagues, Mike, looked surprised to see me.
Liz? Hey, what are you doing here?
Looking for Patrick.
Hes on leave. Said he was taking an impromptu trip.
A trip where?
Didnt say.
I opened my phone and pulled up Patricks social media.
He had posted a photo yesterday.
It was a sunset on a beach, with the back of a womans head in the foreground.
The caption: Much-needed R&R.
I zoomed in on the picture. I could clearly see the bracelet on the womans wrist: a David Yurman Cable Bracelet. Retail: $2,500.
I had seen that bracelet before.
Last month, Patrick had asked me what I wanted for my birthday. Id suggested a simple, affordable braceletmaybe a hundred dollars.
Hed scoffed. A hundred dollars? Thats too cheap, Eliza. Ill get you something nice.
Then he never mentioned it again.
Now I knew.
He bought it.
For Savannah.
$2,500.
I went home, booted up my old desktop, and logged into Patricks email. The password was our wedding anniversary. He hadn't bothered to change it.
There was an unread email from his bank.
Dear Patrick J. [Zhou], a transfer of 0-000,000 from your account ending in 8888 was initiated on October 15th, 2024. Your current balance is $500.
I froze.
One hundred thousand dollars.
Where did he move it?
I scrolled further and found the electronic statement.
October 15th. Transfer of 0-000,000. Recipient: Diane J.
Diane J. was Patricks mother.
He had moved the money to his mom.
I sat there, the pieces of the puzzle clicking into place.
He had been planning this for months. Liquidate assets, transfer the cash, file for divorce, hide the money, and try to get away with paying me and Leo five hundred dollars a month.
My phone rang. It was Patrick.
Eliza, what were you doing at Ms. Elliss office?
Youre spying on me?
A college buddy works in that building. He saw you.
I was consulting an attorney about the divorce.
Consulting what? Just sign the damn papers!
I wont sign them.
Then what do you want?
Ill see you in court.
He laughed, a dry, humorless sound. Go ahead. Sue me. I dont have any money.
You have one hundred thousand dollars.
Silence on the other end.
After a long time, he spoke. You went through my email?
Its community property, Pat. I have a right to know where our money went.
That money is my mothers! Its not marital property!
Is that so? Well let a judge decide.
I hung up.
Leo ran over. Mom, wheres Dad?
Dads on a work trip, sweetie.
When is he coming back?
I dont know.
Leo looked up at me, his small face serious. Mom, are you and Dad getting a divorce?
I knelt and pulled him into a desperate hug.
Im sorry, baby.
I dont want you to, he whimpered.
I started to cry, too.
But I knew I couldnt back down.
I called Ms. Ellis.
4
Ms. Ellis helped me compile all the evidence.
The transaction records, the texts, the hotel bills, the car receipt, the property transfer.
It was 127 pages of undeniable fact.
She said, Its more than enough. We can file.
How long will this take? I asked.
If hes uncooperative, maybe three to six months.
What about Leos support in the meantime?
Well file a motion for temporary orders. The court can mandate he pay interim child support.
How much?
Based on the statutory guidelines, likely five to seven thousand dollars a month.
I nodded.
Patrick hadn't contacted me in days. His social media, however, continued to update.
Beach, restaurant, hotel, theme park.
In the photos, Savannah was beaming.
I screenshotted them all.
Then I drove to the Riverwalk Residences.
Unit 1502. The door was closed.
I rang the bell. No answer.
I asked the security guard: Who lives in 1502?
A couple. The man is in his thirties, the woman is in her twenties.
When did they move in?
Two years ago.
Two years ago.
Leo was four.
Patrick had been "working late" and "traveling for business."
Hed told me I had it easy, staying home with the baby, compared to his corporate grind.
Now I knew the truth.
He wasn't grinding.
He was here.
With Savannah.
I waited outside the complex until 8:00 p.m.
Patricks carthe one he bought before we were marriedpulled into the parking garage.
Savannah was in the passenger seat.
They got out, holding hands, and walked toward the tower lobby.
I followed them. I slipped into the elevator just before the doors closed.
Patricks face went white when he saw me.
Eliza
Patrick, I said, my voice steady. We need to talk.
Savannah looked from me to him. Who is this?
Im his wife, I stated clearly. More accurately, his not-yet-divorced wife.
The elevator opened on the 15th floor.
I followed them into 1502.
The condo was beautifully decorated. Minimalist, high-end furniture, a massive flat-screen TV in the living room. Everything we were supposed to have.
I looked around.
You bought this place, Pat?
Patrick remained silent.
Purchased two years ago. Total price, four hundred thousand. Down payment of one hundred twenty thousand. Loan for two hundred eighty thousand.
The down payment money? That was our community property.
The mortgage payments for the last two yearseighteen thousand a year, thirty-six thousand dollars totalalso community property.
One hundred fifty-six thousand dollars, total. I want it back.
Patricks face was dark with fury. Are you crazy? I bought this house! Why would I give you any of it?
Marital law, Pat. Any property acquired during the marriage with community funds is community property. You gifting this to a third party is the malicious transfer of assets, and I have the right to demand its return.
Savannah shrieked. Thats a lie! Patrick gave this apartment to me!
I turned to her. Did you know he had a wife and a six-year-old son?
She looked down, silent.
I continued, my voice low and cutting. Did you know he only offered his son five hundred dollars a month for support?
But he gave you four thousand a month.
He bought you a forty-five-thousand-dollar BMW.
He bought you this half-million-dollar condo.
Dont you feel any shame?
Savannah was trembling.
Patrick suddenly roared, Eliza! Enough! You came here to threaten us, didn't you?
Im telling you, it wont work!
I bought the place, its in my name, and you cant touch it!
The money? I dont have it! Sue me! I wont give you a single cent!
I looked at him, and a genuine smile touched my lips.
Patrick, you know what my biggest regret is?
That I was blind enough to marry a man like you.
Don't worry. I'm going to make sure you pay for everything.
I turned and walked out. Just before the door clicked shut, I heard Savannahs muffled sobs and Patricks rushed comfort: Dont cry, Babe. Shes just trying to scare you.
Three days later, I gave him his surprise.
5
I filed the divorce petition with the court.
My demands:
Dissolution of marriage.
Custody of Leo, with Patrick to pay $3,500 monthly child support.
Return of marital assets gifted to a third party, totaling $221,000 (includes apartment down payment, two years of mortgage payments, monthly transfers, and the car down payment).
Return of the fraudulently transferred 0-000,000.
$50,000 in damages for emotional distress.
The court accepted the case.
A week later, Patrick received the summons.
He called me, screaming obscenities.
Eliza! Youre completely out of line!
The apartment, the cash, fifty thousand in damages? Are you trying to steal from me?
I smiled into the phone. Yes, Pat. I am.
Dont push your luck!
Patrick, Im asking you: what did I give up for this family over the last seven years?
When I was pregnant, I went to every doctors appointment alone. I was sick, I had to be put on an IV, and I cried in the clinic hallway alone.
When Leo was born via C-section, you left the hospital after two hours, saying work was more important.
When I was recovering, your mother stayed for three days and left, saying the city wasnt comfortable for her.
And you? You came home after ten p.m. every night, saying you had clients.
I took care of the kid, the laundry, the cooking, the cleaningall by myself.
When Leo spiked a fever at midnight, I held him in line at the emergency room for three hours.
Where were you? You were with Savannah, watching a movie.
For seven years, my paycheckforty-five hundred a monthwent entirely toward our family.
Your paychecktwelve thousand a monthwent entirely toward your mistress.
Now you want a divorce, and you offer your son five hundred dollars in support.
Tell me, Patrick. Who is out of line here?
Silence again.
After a very long pause, he said, I admit, I havent been a good husband.
But $221,000I dont have that kind of money.
The apartment is Savannahs home. I cant leave her homeless.
The 0-000,000 is with my mother; I cant get it back.
The best I can do is thirty thousand dollars and three thousand a month for Leo. Thats my absolute final offer.
I laughed again.
Patrick, you know what is the most disgusting thing about you?
That even now, in this moment, you are prioritizing Savannah.
You say you cant leave her homeless.
Did you once consider leaving your son with enough money to live on?
When you were sending her four thousand a month, did you know I had fifty dollars left in my bank account?
When you bought her the twenty-five-hundred-dollar bracelet, did you know I couldnt afford a hundred-dollar pair of sneakers for myself?
When you were on vacation with her, did you know I was home alone with a sick child?
You say you cant get the hundred thousand back from your mother? That money was mine! Why does your mother get to keep it?
You say three thousand is your bottom line for child support? The laws bottom line is twenty-four hundred to thirty-six hundred! What do you think your bottom line is worth?
Patrick, Ill see you in court.
I hung up.
Leo looked at me from the doorway. Mom, is Dad leaving us?
I knelt and held him tight.
No, sweetheart.
Daddy still loves you.
It was the biggest lie Id ever told.
But I refused to let my son carry the burden of feeling unloved by his father. No six-year-old deserves that.
I started organizing the final documents for the hearing.
My phone rang. Ms. Ellis.
Eliza, the opposing counsel contacted me. They want to settle out of court.
What are the terms?
They wont agree to the apartment or the one hundred thousand, but theyre offering thirty thousand cash as compensation, and three thousand a month for child support.
No.
He says if you refuse, hell drag this out. He claims he has no liquid assets, so even if the court rules against him, theres nothing to seize.
Then we drag it out, I said firmly. I have time.
Ms. Ellis was silent for a moment. Eliza, I want you to consider this seriously.
Litigation is a marathon. It could take six months, maybe a year.
During that time, youll be a single mom, working full-time, under immense stress.
And even if we win, enforcement is the problem. Hes already moved the assets. The court orders him to pay, he claims hes broke, and were stuck.
Thirty thousand isnt a lot, but its guaranteed cash. Three thousand is low, but its better than five hundred.
Think about it.
Ms. Ellis, I dont want the thirty thousand.
I want what he legally owes us.
I need him to understand that there is a severe price for what he did.
I will not settle.
Understood. I respect your decision.
I put the phone down and opened my laptop, pulling up more evidence.
Patricks social media from the last two years: Photos with Savannahrestaurants, movies, theme parks, vacations. Every single photo was screenshotted and dated.
Then, I logged into his payment app history.
Beyond the monthly $4,000:
Weekly dinner dates: averaging 0-000.
Monthly hotel stays: averaging $450.
Yearly vacations: averaging $4,000.
A conservative estimate: he spent at least 0-000,000 on Savannah in two years.
For me and Leo? Two thousand a month for all of our expenses.
I organized the data into a spreadsheet and emailed it to Ms. Ellis.
Her reply: Evidence solid. We will win.
I put the phone down.
Looking out the window, I suddenly remembered our wedding day, seven years ago.
He had promised: Eliza, I will take care of you forever.
I had believed him.
Now, I knew better.
The day before the hearing, Patrick called me again.
Eliza, lets meet. Lets talk this through reasonably.
Theres nothing left to talk about.
You have to give me a way out, Eliza!
Did you ever give me or Leo a way out?
I know I messed up, but why do you have to ruin me completely?
Im not ruining you. You did this to yourself.
Then what do you want? I cant give you two hundred twenty-one thousand dollars! I have mortgages, I have to support the.
Support the what? I interrupted. Support Leo? What have you supported?
I
You offered him five hundred dollars a month. That doesnt even cover a pair of quality sneakers and a winter coat.
Do you spend time with him? When was the last time you saw him? Six months ago?
Do you care about him? Did you know he was in the hospital with a fever last week?
I He had no words.
I finished for him. Patrick, Ill see you in court.
Wait, he pleaded. Let me send you something.
A text notification popped up.

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