Chapter 4 - THE MARRIAGE THAT WAS REALLY A TRAP
I spent that night in a secure emergency apartment arranged through a victim-support organization.
I barely slept.
Every sound made me flinch.
Every passing car made me wonder whether Derek had found me.
At dawn, I sat at the kitchen table staring at my wedding ring.
Three years earlier, Derek had placed it on my finger beneath an arch of white roses.
He'd promised to love me.
Protect me.
Stand beside me.
Now I wondered whether he'd ever meant any of it.
My phone vibrated.
A message from my sister, Hannah.
Emily, Derek says you're missing. Are you okay?
I stared at the screen.
Then typed:
I'm safe. I left him. Please don't tell him where I am.
Her response came immediately.
Oh my God. What happened?
I couldn't explain everything.
Not yet.
So I wrote:
I need you to believe me.
Three dots appeared.
Disappeared.
Then returned.
Finally:
I do.
I began crying.
Not because the message fixed anything.
Because someone had believed me without demanding proof first.
Later that morning, Officer Collins called.
Derek had been questioned about the incident at the restaurant.
He denied hurting me.
He claimed I was confused.
He suggested I had become involved with dangerous people.
But the police had documented the injuries on my wrist.
And the restaurant's security footage showed him following me into the restricted hallway.
It wasn't everything.
But it was a beginning.
Then Alexander called.
"Emily?"
"Yes?"
"We found another account."
I closed my eyes.
"Another one?"
"Yes."
He paused.
"It's connected to a property purchase in your name."
I stared at the wall.
"What property?"
"A warehouse near the river."
My stomach tightened.
"Derek told me we couldn't afford a vacation."
Alexander was quiet.
Then said:
"I think he was using your identity to hide assets."
I looked at my wedding ring.
For three years, I'd believed I was trapped because I had no money.
May you like
Now I was learning that millions had moved through accounts bearing my name.
And Derek had made sure I never knew.
