Twenty minutes passed in heavy silence inside the large house. David had called his trusted friend and legal advisor, Arthur, who arrived quickly at the front door carrying a black leather briefcase. Shortly after, Chloe's personal divorce lawyer, Marcus, walked through the door wearing a sharp blue suit.
The two legal representatives sat down across from each other at the dark oak dining table while Chloe stood by the window, her hands folded tightly across her chest. David sat next to Arthur with the phone containing all the video files placed flat on the wooden surface.
Marcus: David, my client claims there has been a simple misunderstanding regarding household discipline. We can resolve this quietly without involving law enforcement.
Arthur: This is not a discipline issue, Marcus. This is clear physical child abuse caught on multi-angle high-definition camera footage.
David pushed the phone across the table toward Marcus, opening the main folder containing the recorded clips from the past month. Marcus picked up the device with a calm expression, but as he watched the first two videos play out, his face slowly dropped into serious concern.
Arthur: We have four distinct dates recorded on this drive showing physical harm inflicted upon a minor child. If this goes to a judge, your client faces criminal charges, immediate loss of custody, and total forfeiture of marital assets under the prenup clause.
Marcus turned his head to look at Chloe, his eyes filled with disbelief at what he had just witnessed on the video screen.
Marcus: Chloe... you never mentioned any video evidence existing when you called me.
Chloe: I did not know he installed those stupid cameras, Marcus! Can't you get the footage thrown out in court?
Marcus: No, Chloe. These are lawful security cameras inside a shared primary residence. This footage is completely admissible in court, and it is devastating.
Evelyn: She belongs in jail for what she did to that poor innocent boy!
Chloe began to cry loud tears, but nobody in the room moved to comfort her. The fake tears were easy to see through after everything that had been exposed during the hour.
David: Here are my terms, Marcus. She packs one bag and leaves this property within thirty minutes. She signs full legal and physical custody over to me without a fight.
Arthur: And she waives all rights to alimony and property settlement based on the domestic abuse fault clause in their prenuptial agreement.
Chloe: You want to leave me with nothing?! I am your wife, David!
David: You stopped being my wife the moment you placed a hand on my son!
Marcus leaned over to whisper quietly into Chloe's ear, explaining the severe prison sentence she would face if David handed the footage directly over to the police department for criminal prosecution. Chloe's body shook as the harsh reality of her situation finally settled in.