Chapter 4
Daniel showed up at my office three days later.
My assistant tried to stop him. He pushed past her.
I was in a meeting with a client.
He stood in the doorway, wild-eyed.
"Claire, we need to talk. Now."
My client stood up.
"I'll reschedule."
I nodded. She left.
Daniel sat down across from me.
"Look. I know this looks bad. But I swear, I didn't know about the HELOC. Mom and Vanessa and Todd did it. They used my access to the house. They found your old documents. I had nothing to do with it."
I looked at him.
"Daniel. The power of attorney had my signature forged. The credit cards were opened using my social security number. My mail comes to this house. Someone had to intercept the cards. Someone had to activate them. Someone had to use them."
He swallowed.
"Maybe Todd—"
"Your sister's husband. Who you let stay in my house. Who you defended. Who you said was 'family.'"
He reached across the table.
"Claire, I love you. We can fix this. We can go to counseling. We can—"
I pulled my hand away.
"I filed for divorce, Daniel. The papers were served at your hotel this morning."
He went pale.
"You're... you're actually doing this? Over a loan application that didn't even go through?"
"Over six years of being disrespected. Over my house being stolen from under me. Over being told to kneel and wash feet. Over you, standing there, letting it happen."
He stood up. His voice rose.
"You're making a mistake! You think you can do this alone? You think anyone will believe you? My mother will destroy you in court. We have family. We have friends. You're just the quiet little wife."
I stood up too.
"Get out of my office. Security is on the way."
He laughed bitterly.
"You'll regret this."
He left.
I sat down. My hands were shaking.
But I wasn't scared.
May you like
I was angry.
And anger, I had learned, was better than fear.
