She ignored this. She wasn’t going to give his artificial flattery any more oxygen. Instead, she launched straight in. ‘Lawrence, it sounds to me like we are now on the same page about a divorce. I’d like nothing more than for it to go through smoothly and as soon as possible. And I think we would both like to settle our other issues out of court. Do you agree?’

‘Perhaps,’ said Lawrence coolly.

‘Well then, there are only two things I want. First, I want to dissolve the family trust to ensure that ownership of my Paddington flat will go to Daisy when she comes of age. And second, I want custody of Daisy. She will live with me and I will remain her primary parent. I have documents prepared to finalise both these matters.’

Lawrence threw his head back and laughed. ‘No way in hell, Grace. Didn’t my lawyer tell yours that I won’t negotiate on either of those points? It’s laughable that you’d even try.’

‘If you’ll hear me out, Lawrence,’ said Grace mildly, ‘I think you might have a change of heart.’

‘Don’t be a fool, Grace,’ said Lawrence coldly.

Grace pretended to change the subject. ‘Tell me, just what are your plans with this poor woman you’ve romanced?’

Lawrence blinked. ‘Poor is not a word I would use to describe Alicia or her family. She is an exceedingly smart businesswoman.’

‘Then what’s she doing with you, Lawrence?’

His smiling mask dropped instantly and she saw the Lawrence she recognised.

‘You don’t have to be vulgar, Grace.’

Grace leaned forward. ‘Just what do you want, Lawrence? You know I would never willingly give up custody of Daisy. So why are you pushing so hard on this point? To come out looking like a good guy? You know damn well I have no money from our life together, even though I was the one earning a regular salary when I squeezed a job in between being a mother and a housewife, and making you look good.’

‘Rah-rah for you, Grace. That’s what wives do. Support their husbands. And you seem to be raking it in now, with your cushy job.’

‘I have no interest in supporting someone whose modus operandi is lying, cheating in business, and hiding his family history. I don’t think anyone would be keen on that.’

His eyes narrowed. ‘What’s that mean?’

‘Well, I just think there are a lot of things Alicia might like to know about you, things I suspect you might not have told her.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ Lawrence said, though Grace could see the tension in his jaw.

Grace pressed on, again catching Lawrence off guard. ‘Why did you choose the name Lawrence Hagen? What was wrong with Justin Kenneth Odford?’