It was Vivian’s turn not to bat an eye. “We’re all adults here, and you can rely on Julia’s discretion.”

Stupidly, Jules’s urge to cringe vanished, replaced with the urge to smile. She suppressed it. Talk about inappropriate—this was serious business.

“So it means nothing? Adultery changes nothing?” An edge of agitation finally appeared in Vivian’s tone.

Preston sounded reluctant. “In New York state, adultery constitutes separate grounds for divorce. But the court will grant you a divorce, Vivian. There’s no question of that. I don’t think we should make it any messier or costlier than it has to be.”

“Oh, it’s going to be messy,” Vivian said. “Costly too. For him.”

He took a deep breath. “I understand you’re upset. Especially taking…everything…into consideration.”

Jules had to give him further points for not looking directly at Vivian’s abdomen.

“But may I ask what you are hoping to achieve beyond simple revenge?”

“There has to be something beyond that?” Vivian asked.

Yikes, Jules thought.

“Look, Vivian.” Preston sounded firm and no-nonsense for the first time.

Jules bit her lip. He should know that wasn’t going to fly.

“I know you want to do this in the heat of the moment,” he continued, “but I am telling you that this can get long and ugly, and you have other things you probably want to be worrying about instead. You don’t need Robert’s money. You’ve got more than he does.”

“No,” Vivian said, “I don’t want his money.”

Jules looked at Vivian in surprise. So did Preston. Hadn’t Vivian said yesterday that she wanted to take Robert for everything?

“All right,” Preston said cautiously. “His property, then?”

“Oh, no, Preston.” Vivian smiled. “I’ve thought about this all night, and I decided there are only two things I want from Robert.”

Preston looked more apprehensive than ever. “And they are?”

Vivian held up one finger. “First: he’ll pay child support.”

“Yes, of course.” Preston frowned.

“Second,” Vivian said held up another finger, “he will have nothing to do with the child. He’s not to be a part of its life. He gives up all his legal rights.”

Preston took a deep breath. “That will entail considerably more complications.”

“Will it?”

The brand-new note in her voice was not agitation or irritation. It was anger, edging toward the fury she’d displayed yesterday.

Oh shit.

“Yes, of course,” he said, sounding surprised.

“Robert said he wanted nothing to do with it, Yesterday. Very loudly. I’m sure you remember.”

“He was angry too, He probably didn’t mean everything he said. And even if he did, he might change his mind later. Does he have children?”