What happens when your fake marriage becomes legally binding?

 

          

                                                                      

PART 2 👇 

Finally said, The divorce papers are in my desk. Have been for a month. Can't sign them. I said London was my dream. He said, I know. Three months ago, Catastrophe. His ex-wife's parents sued for custody of Emma. Said our marriage was fake. That we'd committed fraud. They'd hired a private investigator. Had photos of us leaving separate bedrooms, removing rings, living like roommates. Their lawyer said we were unfit parents living a lie. The court date was set. One month ago, we met with our lawyer. She reviewed everything and went pale. You need to understand something. Your marriage, it's not fake anymore. Hasn't been for over a year. She explained cohabitation, joint finances, acting as Emma's parent. We'd met every legal requirement for common law. Even if you sign papers calling it fake, the law sees it as real. You've been really married for at least 18 months. Two weeks ago in court, the judge asked us directly, Is this marriage fraudulent? Our lawyer had warned us, lie and it's perjury. Tell the truth and lose Emma. But then Emma stood up, seven years old, shaking. She makes dad coffee every morning. She knows I hate crusts. She sang to me when I was scared about surgery. Real moms do that stuff, right? The judge looked at our photos three years of school plays hospital visits birthday parties sunday farmers markets send the investigators evidence us sleeping separately barely touching lots of real marriages look like this he said case dismissed yesterday london called asking for my start date i was staring at my unsigned contract walked in with coffee three sugars for him oat milk for me the divorce papers expired he