Chapter 24 - TRAVIS TESTIFIES AGAINST HIS FATHER’S VERSION
Travis was called.
He had completed months of intervention counseling by then.
Our divorce was nearly final.
He looked different.
Not redeemed.
Less certain.
Counsel asked:
“Did Camilla agree to place her Fiorentino shares into the marital holding structure?”
“No.”
“Ever?”
“No.”
“Did Raymond know?”
“Yes.”
“Then why did he tell others the interests were being unified?”
Travis looked at his father.
“Because he thought she would eventually sign.”
“Did you?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I thought marriage meant she would choose me over Marcello.”
There.
Then:
“Was the gala announcement intended to occur before signature?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Travis swallowed.
“To make the agreement feel settled.”
The courtroom stayed quiet.
Not fraud.
Pressure.
Then his father’s lawyer asked:
“Did Raymond order you to strike Camilla?”
“No.”
Good.
“Did he tell you to threaten her physically?”
“No.”
“Was the slap your act?”
“Yes.”
Separate responsibility.
Then:
“Did you love Camilla?”
Travis looked at me.
“Yes.”
I believed him.
Love did not answer the governance question.
May you like
It did not answer the slap either.
That was one of the hardest truths of the whole year.
