The underestimated heir

In the court house

That was what she wanted. 

The money. 

She didn't care about me or how I'd feel about the whole divorce, she only wanted the Plaza. 

The courthouse hallway was cold and sterile, with fluorescent lights that buzzed overhead. Gabriel sat on a wooden bench outside the courtroom, his hands clasped together, staring at the marble floor. His stomach churned with anxiety and dread.

Seraphina sat on the opposite side of the hallway with her entire family. Margaret, Dominic, David, Patricia, Brandon, and Eric. They looked like they were attending a celebration rather than a divorce hearing. Margaret kept smiling and whispering to Seraphina. Dominic checked his expensive watch impatiently.

The courtroom door opened and a clerk stepped out. "Morrison versus Carter. The judge is ready for you now."

Everyone stood. Gabriel's legs felt weak, but he forced himself to walk into the courtroom. It was smaller than he'd expected, with wooden panels on the walls and rows of empty benches. The judge, a stern woman in her sixties, sat behind an elevated desk.

"Please be seated," the judge said, adjusting her glasses.

Gabriel sat at one table with Mr. Wright, who'd agreed to represent him. Seraphina sat at another table with three expensive lawyers in tailored suits. The Morrison family filled the front row of benches behind Seraphina.

The judge reviewed the documents in front of her. "This is a petition for divorce between Seraphina Morrison and Gabriel Carter. I see here that both parties have agreed to the terms. Is that correct?"

"Yes, Your Honor," one of Seraphina's lawyers said smoothly.

The judge looked at Gabriel. "Mr. Carter, do you agree to these terms?"

Gabriel glanced at the divorce agreement in front of him. He'd read it a dozen times last night, but the words still felt like knives.

"I'd like to contest the property division," Gabriel said quietly.

Seraphina's head snapped toward him. "We already agreed, Gabriel. Don't make this difficult."

"Mr. Carter," the judge said patiently. "What specifically do you wish to contest?"

"The Riverside Plaza property," Gabriel said, his voice growing stronger. "It was a gift to me specifically from Mrs. Abigail Morrison. It shouldn't be considered marital property."

Seraphina's lead lawyer stood up. "Your Honor, the property was inherited during the marriage. Under state law, that makes it marital property subject to division."

Mr. Wright stood as well. "Your Honor, Mrs. Morrison's will specifically named Mr. Carter as the sole recipient. The intent was clear. This was a personal gift, not a marital asset."

The judge frowned, looking between the two lawyers. "This is a complex issue that requires more examination. I'm not prepared to rule on this today."

"Your Honor," Seraphina's lawyer said quickly. "My client is willing to make a compromise. She'll take Riverside Plaza, and Mr. Carter can keep the bank account that was also mentioned in the will. Both parties walk away with something."

Gabriel felt panic rising in his chest. "No. That's not fair. The property is worth far more than the account."

Seraphina's lawyer smiled slightly. "Your Honor, we've had the bank account investigated. It contains approximately five hundred dollars. Hardly a significant sum. Meanwhile, Riverside Plaza is valued at eighty million dollars. My client is being extremely generous by allowing Mr. Carter to keep any asset at all."

Five hundred dollars. They thought the account only had five hundred dollars. They'd checked the balance but couldn't see the full amount because of how Abigail had structured it.

Gabriel's mind raced. If he fought for the property, the divorce would drag on for months. Seraphina's lawyers would dig into everything, including the bank account. 

He didn't want to fight even though he knew that Plaza could go a long way helping him financially. 

The property was valuable, but it was also complicated. It required management, maintenance, and dealing with tenants. The money in the account was liquid, immediately usable, and growing every day through Abigail's investment system.

Gabriel looked at Mr. Wright, who leaned over and whispered, "It's your choice. We can fight this, but it'll take time and money."

Gabriel looked across at Seraphina. Her face was cold, impatient, eager to be done with him. Three years of marriage, and she couldn't wait to erase him from her life.

"Fine," Gabriel said, the word tasting bitter. "She can have the property. I'll take the account."

Seraphina's family erupted in pleased murmurs behind her. Margaret actually clapped her hands together.

The judge looked surprised. "Mr. Carter, are you certain? The property values are significantly different."

"I'm certain," Gabriel said firmly.

The judge nodded slowly. "Very well. Mrs. Morrison receives full ownership of Riverside Plaza. Mr. Carter receives full ownership of the bank account. All other assets are divided as outlined in the agreement. Are both parties satisfied with these terms?"

"Yes, Your Honor," Seraphina said immediately.

"Yes," Gabriel said quietly.

"Then please sign the documents."

A clerk brought the papers to each table. Gabriel picked up the pen with a shaking hand. This was it. The end of his marriage. The end of three years of trying, hoping, believing things might get better.

He signed his name on the line. The ink looked black and final against the white paper.

Seraphina signed her copy without hesitation, her signature quick and elegant.

"The divorce is granted," the judge said. "This marriage is officially dissolved. You're both free to go."

Just like that, it was over.

Gabriel stood up, his legs feeling numb. Seraphina was already walking toward the door, her family surrounding her like a protective wall.

But Margaret turned back, her face twisted with satisfaction. "Gabriel," she called out loudly enough for everyone to hear. "Just so you understand clearly, you're no longer welcome at our home. Pack whatever belongings you have today and leave."

"And we'll no longer be paying for your sister's education," Dominic added. "Maya will have to drop out of college. That's what happens when you're not part of this family anymore."

Gabriel felt the words like physical blows. Maya. He'd known this was coming, but hearing it said out loud made it real.

"We gave you everything," Margaret continued, her voice dripping with contempt. "A home, food, a wife far above your station. And this is how you repay us? By taking property that rightfully belongs to our daughter?"

"He didn't take anything," David laughed. "He got a bank account with five hundred dollars. He's probably homeless by tomorrow."

Brandon joined in. "I give him a week before he's begging to come back. Maybe we'll hire him as an actual servant this time."

The family laughed together, the sound echoing in the courtroom. Even Seraphina smiled slightly, though she didn't join the laughter.

Gabriel stood there, taking it all in. The mockery, the cruelty, the satisfaction on their faces. They thought they'd won. They thought they'd gotten rid of him and taken everything valuable.

Maybe they had, just for a while. He was not going to give up. 

Gabriel simply nodded. "Understood," he said quietly.

He picked up his copy of the divorce papers and walked toward the exit. Mr. Wright followed him.

As Gabriel passed Seraphina, she spoke without looking at him. "Goodbye, Gabriel. I hope you figure out your life eventually."

There was no emotion in her voice. No regret, no sadness, not even anger. Just indifference. Like he'd been an inconvenience that was finally resolved.

Gabriel walked out of the courtroom, through the hallway, and out of the courthouse. The sunlight felt too bright after the dim interior. He stood on the steps, breathing in the cool air.

Behind him, he could hear the Morrison family's laughter echoing even through the closed doors.

Mr. Wright stood beside him. "I'm sorry, Gabriel. That was brutal."

"It's fine," Gabriel said, and surprisingly, he meant it. "They can have their property. I have what I need."

Gabriel smiled for the first time in days even though he couldn't think of why. The Morrison family might have just made the biggest mistake of their lives, and they didn't even know it yet.

He walked down the courthouse steps, leaving his old life behind.