Chapter 5 - LEGAL STATUS
My ex-wife, Sarah, left when Noah was two.
Not disappeared.
Not dead.
She struggled with addiction after a workplace injury and eventually entered long-term treatment.
Our divorce was ugly but not vicious.
I received primary custody.
She received supervised contact, then gradually more.
By the time Noah turned six, she saw him one weekend a month.
My parents hated her.
Especially Mom.
They called her unreliable even after three years sober.
Dad called my decision to keep her in Noah’s life sentimental.
I thought the trust challenge concerned Sarah.
I was wrong.
“What uncertainty?” I asked Martin.
“Your father questioned biological paternity.”
My chair moved backward.
“What?”
“He stated Sarah had admitted to an affair.”
“She never did.”
“He submitted an email.”
“From Sarah?”
“Yes.”
Martin handed it to me.
I recognized the address.
Sarah’s old account.
Message:
Richard, I don’t know if Ethan is Noah’s biological father. Please don’t tell him until I figure things out.
My ears rang.
“That’s fake.”
“You’re certain?”
“Yes.”
“Did Sarah have access to that account at the date shown?”
“No. She lost it when she went into treatment.”
The email was dated six months afterward.
I stood.
“They’ve been telling my son he isn’t family because they’re trying to keep him out of a trust?”
Martin said:
“I did not say that.”
“You didn’t need to.”
He remained calm.
“Get the email authenticated.”
I looked at him.
“Why did nobody tell me about the challenge?”
“Your father represented that you were aware and did not wish to discuss paternity with Noah.”
I laughed.
Of course.
May you like
Dad’s specialty.
Speaking for people while calling it protection.
