Chapter 43

(Victoria)

I checked my make up one last time before finally leaving.

"Are you absolutely sure you don't want me to come, V? You don't even know this guy." Joshua pleaded.

"Joshua, my mom would not recommend anyone who she did not trust. Besides, Taylor is coming with me." I lied.

"Oh yeah, because she's totally going to protect you if this David Fischer guy wants to try something."

I sighed, annoyed, "Joshua, if it makes you feel any better, you can drop me off and pick me up. Is that okay?"

"I may as well stay home if I'm just going to be your chauffer."

I laughed, "I'll see you later, Joshua." I headed toward my car and got in. Joshua came running to my car. "What's wrong?"

"If you just so happen not to come back because Taylor kidnapped you, I just want to say... I love you a lot."

I made a face, "well...I love you too. Let's hope Taylor doesn't kidnap me." I backed out of the driveway and drove towards the Hilton. It was pretty clear my mom got someone from out of town... Her hometown. She always told me she could never trust anyone from California. That still puzzles me to this day since I was born here...

I walked into the Hilton searching for my mother and any guy who could have been David. This meeting ought to be good if my mother is going to be here. I laughed half-heartedly to myself. David sounded quite educated and like this case would be absolutely nothing to him. I looked around the lobby and finally spotted my mother sitting across from a man who I assume is David. He's handsome. I'll give him that, but looks can be deceiving. All the men my mother always picked were always fine on the outside and complete assholes inside, excluding my father. I walked towards the table.

"Oh! There she is," mom stood. "Victoria, how are you, sweetheart?" My mom hugged me tight.

"Alright." I put on a fake smile.

"David, this is my lovely daughter, Victoria Luhn." She introduced me.

"Victoria Jackson." I corrected her and shook hands with David. Mom rolled her eyes. She probably wants me to change my name like she did when she divorce, but I'm keeping my married name.

"Your mother has told me so much about you." David smiled.

"Really? How much exactly? The good stuff, right?"

"Of course. And not too much." He laughed.

"Ahh, well, I might have to look into whatever she told you. My mother tends to run her mouth when I'm not around." We laughed.

"Well, Mrs. Jackson, what am I dealing with here? Abuse? Down-low? Adultery? Trust me, I've dealt with it all."

"How about a broken heart?"

David sighed, "yes, Mrs. Jackson. A broken heart too..."

"Then I think you're perfect for the job. We haven't actually filed for divorce yet. I've signed the papers. I just need my husband to do the same."

"Alright, so why exactly are you filing? Because you know that the judge won't automatically say you can divorce. He or she may issue counseling instead... You might want to try that before the judge issues it and you're forced into it."

I sighed, "Counseling won't heal this broken heart... I'm filing for divorce because he cheated on me with five women." David looked at me as though he's heard it all one too many times. "It may sound repetitive to you, David, since you deal with this twenty-four seven, but my husband and I have two beautiful children together and when I tell you we were in love, I'm not talking about puppy love. No, our love was deep and far beyond childish games like that. That's why I keep asking myself why he felt he had to lie to me when he never lied to me before..." My voice cracked. Please don't let me let my guard down. I want and need to be strong about this.

"David, Victoria has loved this man for as long as I can remember, but it's quite clear Michael never loved my daughter like she loves him." My mother rubbed my back.

"You may be right." I managed to say.

"I'm no doctor or counselor, Mrs. Jackson and Ms. Luhn, but I highly recommend counseling before taking this any further. I have referred many of my clients to counseling and divorce never crossed their minds again after their sessions. And if it didn't work, we'd go through with the divorce and the judge may recommend counseling as well." David reached into his suit. "Here. This is a great friend of mine. Her name is Doctor Stephanie Moore. She's local. Give her a call, set up an appointment and I assure you, you and Mr. Jackson will love each other again and look at this as a bump in the road. If it doesn't work out, here's my card. Call me and I'll be on the first flight out here."

"Thanks." I took the cards.

"I know you didn't want to hear this, Mrs. Jackson. None of my clients have, but I assure you, the decision could change your marriage for the better."