All Chapters of Case Closed, Marriage Over: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

The sight of Dad walking away with his shoulders slumped lit a fire in my chest, burning through the last of my restraint.I stormed back into the office, snatched the thesis pages off the desk, and tore them to shreds."Are you out of your mind?!" Claire Doyle shot to her feet.I asked, furious, "Why wouldn't you take my dad's case? Do you have any idea how long he waited outside for you?""I'm busy. I don't have time for one of your scenes.""Busy? You have time to edit your intern's thesis, but you couldn't spare five minutes to look over my dad's contract?"I let out a bitter laugh. The irony was almost too much to take."I'm a lawyer, not a charity." Claire's voice turned cold. "Do you know what I charge per hour? I'd lose money taking your dad's case.""But he's my dad!" I shouted."So what?"Claire's voice sharpened."Everyone is equal under the law. Am I supposed to ignore professional boundaries just because he's family? If I take this case today, what will everyone

Chapter 2

Three days later, I took the day off so I could go to court with Dad."Once I get my wages back, I can buy your mom a few new outfits. And I'll finally be able to help buy your cousin, Heather, a computer for her college applications."The thought of finally recovering his money had lifted Dad's spirits. He talked excitedly the entire way there.When we arrived at the courthouse on time, Mark, who had spoken to Dad just the day before, was nowhere to be found. No matter how many times we called, he didn't answer."Maybe Mr. Fleming got the time wrong?"Dad sat at the plaintiff's table, anxiously picking at the thick calluses on his hands. He looked at me. "Claire was the one who contacted Mr. Fleming. Why don't you call her and ask what's going on?"Before I could reach Claire, the courtroom doors opened.But the man who walked in wasn't Mark. It was the attorney Nicholas had just hired.Spencer Hunt, the intern Claire had been staying late to mentor and whose thesis she had

Chapter 3

"Claire, what the hell was that today?"When Claire came home, I expected her to feel at least some guilt over what she had done. I even thought she might apologize.Instead, she turned it all around on me."I should ask you that. What the hell, Josh? You let a construction worker shout my name in front of everyone. Do you have any idea how humiliating that was?"I didn't back down. "So that gave you the right to lie to me, deliberately leave my dad without a lawyer, and make him lose his case and end up owing 100 grand?"I let out a quiet laugh, even as tears stung my eyes.Claire's expression faltered, but she quickly regained her composure."I assigned Mark to the case," she said, "but I didn't know Spencer agreed to represent Nicholas. People at the firm already have doubts about him. If he'd lost this case, he might not have been offered a permanent position."I already knew how important Spencer was to her, but hearing her say it still brought tears to my eyes."So that

Chapter 4

Over the course of the night, two surgical teams took turns operating on Dad.Mom cried herself unconscious in my arms several times. It wasn't until dawn that Dad was finally out of danger.Claire never came to the hospital. Not once."Josh, where's Claire? Didn't she come back with you?"Dad finally woke up on the third day. The moment he saw how exhausted I looked, concern filled his eyes."It's okay, Dad." I forced a smile. "I won't let anything like this happen again. I won't let anyone treat you or Mom this way ever again."My parents were silent for a long time. In the end, they simply patted me on the shoulder."Do what you need to do. Whatever you decide, we'll support you."After leaving Dad's hospital room, I called Claire again."What is it?""My parents want to see you. There's also something they need to discuss with you."Her voice was hoarse, as though she hadn't slept all night."I can't tomorrow. Spencer's defending his thesis. I need to help him review it

Chapter 5

"My wife and I are getting divorced because someone else came between us. That wife happens to be your mentor, Ms. Doyle."My voice remained calm as I slowly surveyed the room."Mr. Hunt, perhaps you or one of the professors here could offer me some legal advice?"The room fell so silent that even the air seemed to stop moving.Spencer's face went pale, and he instinctively looked to Claire for help."M-Ms. Doyle, what is he talking about?"He clearly hadn't expected me to confront them so openly. For a moment, he completely lost his composure.A rare flicker of panic crossed Claire's face."Josh, have you lost your mind? Today is Spencer's thesis defense. He's worked toward this for a long time. Are you trying to ruin his future?"I slowly raised my head and met her gaze, my expression as calm as ever."What's wrong? Feeling guilty? Claire, you caused all of this. What gives you the right to accuse me of anything? Besides, I gave both of you more than enough chances, didn't

Chapter 6

I gave Spencer a faint smile.Then, ignoring Claire's warning look, I began the presentation without hesitation. "My name is Josh Cooper, and I teach language arts at an elementary school. I've created hundreds of presentations like this for classroom lessons and parent-teacher meetings. I just never imagined I'd make one documenting my wife's affair."With every word I spoke, Claire and Spencer grew paler."Josh, have you lost your mind?!" Claire stared at me, hurt written all over her face. "Are you really determined to destroy everything we've shared over the past ten years?"Spencer's eyes were already red with panic."Mr. Cooper, you've completely misunderstood what's going on between Ms. Doyle and me. Please, just stop. You're going to ruin my entire future!"It was the first time I had ever heard him address me with any respect.I remained perfectly calm and replied, "No."Then I clicked the remote and advanced to the next slide."I'm only an elementary school teacher

Chapter 7

Looking at Claire's face twisted with rage, I finally understood something.Maybe I had only loved her for so long because I was still seeing her through the rose-colored haze of our youth. Now that the illusion had shattered, she was no different from any other cold, selfish person.I met Claire's furious gaze with a quiet laugh."You fabricated evidence and ruined an innocent man's life, and you think you get to lecture me about the law? You're right. I don't know much about the law, but I know the difference between right and wrong."My voice remained perfectly calm."If you're so sure I broke the law, why don't I call the police and let them sort it out? They can look into how you conspired with a notorious deadbeat, turned my father's wage claim against him, stuck him with a hundred-thousand-dollar judgment, and drove him into the ICU."Spencer immediately panicked. He grabbed Claire's sleeve. "What do we do? He's not actually going to call the police, is he?"Claire looked

Chapter 8

The moment that voice rang out, every professor and student in the auditorium rose to their feet.Outside, countless law students lowered their books and crowded around the entrance until it was completely blocked.The instant Spencer saw the two women, his face turned deathly pale."That's Alicia Meyer, the only female attorney ever hailed as a legend in the field! She hasn't lost a case in 30 years!""And that's her daughter, Madison Meyer! She made partner at one of the country's top law firms at 24 and won that record-breaking custody case!""Mrs. Meyer retired eight years ago and almost never appears in public. Ms. Meyer has a reputation for being ruthless in court. With both of them here, Claire and Spencer have finally picked a fight they can't win."As the room erupted with excitement, Madison took Alicia's arm and guided her toward the front."Mr. Cooper, Mom and I came to support you."I smiled. "Thank you, Madison. And thank you, Alicia."Alicia patted my hand."Th

Chapter 9

It wasn't until we separated that Claire finally understood what she had lost.She found our wedding photos and pictures from when we were dating tossed into the trash. The refrigerator no longer held the lunches I used to pack for her before work.Each morning, she woke to an empty space beside her, with no trace of my warmth or familiar scent on the pillow.Her phone no longer received messages from my parents.[It's getting cold. Make sure you dress warmly.][I made a goose-down comforter for you and Josh. We mailed it out, so remember to sign for it…]Only then did Claire understand why I was so determined to walk away from the ten years we had shared."I'm sorry. I lost my head. I was stupid, and I gave in to temptation. I hurt you and your parents. But I know my mistake now. Josh, Mom, Dad, could you please forgive me just this once?"She reached for my wrist, her expression pleading.I immediately shook her off and stepped back with my parents, staring at her coldly."

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