It was, as Beck had so casually referred to it as, Judgment Day. The broken family gathered at the courthouse to finalize the dissolution of Beck and Tori's marriage. It was late November then. The southern California sun retired to its winter home behind the clouds and the rain had claimed its place. Tori stepped out of her recently purchased car and ejected her umbrella. Her heels clacked on the damp concrete beneath her as she made her way into the courthouse.
Beck sat with his lawyer, Edward West (yes, that West). He seemed trapped in the black business suit, desperate to return to his worn plaid shirts. His eyes were held in a blank gaze in the direction of the papers that sat in front of him. Natalie sat with Andre, who, as the only neutral person in the situation, had been named her legal guardian and had taken her in for the past few weeks. Aside from that, Mr. and Mrs. Vega and Mr. and Mrs. Oliver sat in the respective sides of the room, awaiting the time where they would each be called to testify. The rest of the group was scattered among the courtroom seats, hesitant to align themselves with a side. Tori took her seat next to her lawyer, a contact her father had encountered while working on the police force.
The trial came to order. "This court is assigned to the complaint for divorce and request of custody regarding Natalie Victoria Vega Oliver between Beck Oliver and Victoria Vega-Oliver," the judge, a stern-looking man with a thick mustache, said. And so the trial continued thereafter. Lawyers on each side grilled the witnesses, hoping to find an edge.
"Ms. Vega, to your knowledge, had Mr. Oliver ever been unfaithful during the course of your marriage?"
"No."
"Mr. Harris, as a close friend of the family, did you ever witness either Ms. Vega or Mr. Oliver neglecting their daughter?" "No, they were always keeping a close eye on her and giving her all the attention necessary."
"Ms. Valentine, could you briefly describe Natalie's relationship with her parents?"
"She loves them! Even more than she loves cupcakes, and I'll tell you, we get cupcakes almost every week. One time, my brother came along and-"
"That'll be all, Ms. Valentine, thank you."
"Mrs. Oliver, how do you feel about Ms. Vega?"
"Oh, we all love Tori, we think she's great. Ever since my Beck met her, he's been the happiest I've ever seen him."
However, the most important testimony was Natalie's herself. As much as both Tori and Beck tried to prevent it, their lawyers insisted. After all, children rarely lie. The lawyers went as far as to ask her who she'd prefer living with between her parents. "I want to live with both of them. I love my mommy but I love my daddy just as much. I don't want them to get a d-divorce." Natalie's small face reddened as the lawyers dismissed her. She ran into Andre's arms, avoiding eye contact with either of her parents as she exited the courtroom.
Later on, the judge announced his final ruling. "It is by this court's decision to grant joint custody of Natalie Victoria Vega Oliver to both Beck Oliver and Victoria Vega. This will be revisited when the child in question reaches age fourteen." And with that, court was dismissed.
I drove home in tears. Despite my unwavering sadness, I still wouldn't buy into Beck's game. He hasn't cared about me since the minute he signed those divorce papers two years ago. I pulled into my driveway and killed the engine, stopping to flip down my mirrors and wipe away smeared makeup and runny mascara from my face. I entered the house feeling weak and unstable, only wishing to find comfort between my sheets. I closed the door behind me gently, prompting a voice to boom from the top of the stairs.
"Look who finally decided to drag her ass home," Ryder said. "So you just decide to disappear for the whole day without so much as a note?" He descended down the stairs. He took his time, becoming increasingly intimidating with each step.
I rubbed my temples in irritation and leaned against the door. "I'm sorry, I just needed to get away."
"Get away?" he said, barely allowing me to finish a thought. He was face to face with me now. "From what? Me? Last time I checked, I gave you that ring sitting on your pretty little finger there, Tori. I pay for more than half this house and all the clothes on your tight little body. You're mine. I'm pretty sure that entitles me to at least a fucking note telling me where the fuck you're going." He planted his hands on either side of the door, trapping me in the process. "So where were you?"
"I spent the afternoon in Newport with Natalie and Beck-"
"Beck Oliver, huh? I knew him moving back here was going to be an issue for us. Ex-husband comes back with a couple of Oscar nominations and all of a sudden, you're at his beck and call, waiting to shine his awards and comb his hair, right?" Ryder said.
"It's not like that at all! You know I don't trust Beck with Nat. I wanted to scope his new place out to make sure it's okay for her!" I said sheepishly in an attempt to defend myself.
"So you were at his house now? Don't try to bring your daughter into this an excuse; you went over there for him!" he shouted. "I'm sure Natalie just happened to fall asleep and you just happenedto spend some alone time with Beck, isn't that right?"
"I can't believe you think that low of me! I have done nothing to make you doubt my fidelity to you, Ryder, and that's more than you can say."
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
"What? The reason why you haven't been around much lately is because of your long nights at the office, right? But whenever I call your office, they say you've been gone for hours. Do you think I'm stupid? Who are you running around with now?"
"At least I was never married to any of the girls I spend time with," he said, pushing off the door and turning his back on me.
"And that justifies you cheating on me?" I shouted, shoving his back with both my arms.
Ryder turned around and held my arms at my sides, giving me a hard look in the eye. "You're sleeping in the guest room tonight, do you understand me?"
I pulled myself from his grasp and grabbed my things off the floor. "I'll do you one better," I said, opening the door. "Fuck you," and slamming the door behind me. I drove and drove until I finally reached my destination; the only place I knew I could go. I stepped on the brakes when the white gate came into view, pulling up to the gatehouse. "Tori Vega for Mr. Harris, please."
A/N: What do you guys think now that you've seen Ryder's true nature? Thank you for reading :)
