Chapter 5 - THE MAN WHO WANTED HER SIGNATURE
Derek filed for an emergency court order.
He claimed I was vulnerable.
That I'd been manipulated by criminals.
That I needed protection from Alexander Moretti.
His attorney submitted statements from acquaintances who described Derek as a loving husband.
The documents made me feel sick.
They painted me as unstable.
Unreliable.
Confused.
For a moment, I wondered whether fighting him was worth it.
Then my attorney, Sarah Mitchell, looked at me across her desk.
"Emily, listen carefully."
I nodded.
"Abusers often try to control the story after they lose control of the person."
My eyes filled.
She continued.
"That doesn't mean the story is true."
I looked down.
"I don't have much evidence."
Sarah shook her head.
"You have more than you think."
She listed the police report.
The restaurant footage.
Medical records.
Financial documents.
Messages.
Witness statements.
I stared.
For years, Derek had made me feel powerless.
Now I was beginning to understand that truth could be assembled piece by piece.
Sarah leaned forward.
"There's something else."
My stomach tightened.
"What?"
"Derek's attorney has requested that you sign a financial settlement."
I frowned.
"What settlement?"
Sarah handed me a document.
It offered me fifty thousand dollars.
In exchange, I would waive claims to certain marital assets and sign a statement confirming that all financial transactions conducted in my name had been authorized.
I stared at the paper.
Then looked up.
"He wants me to say I knew."
Sarah nodded.
"That's how it reads."
My hands began shaking.
If I signed, Derek could use my statement to protect himself.
And possibly make me responsible for crimes I hadn't committed.
I pushed the document away.
"No."
Sarah smiled faintly.
"Good."
May you like
For the first time in three years, I refused to sign something simply because Derek wanted me to.
And I didn't apologize.
