Chapter 8 - THE HUSBAND WHO LOST CONTROL
Derek's public image began collapsing.
The financial investigation expanded.
Former employees came forward.
A colleague described suspicious transactions.
A former assistant provided emails showing Derek had instructed staff to route payments through companies connected to my name.
Derek denied everything.
Then he blamed me.
He told reporters I'd manipulated him.
That I'd been secretly involved with Alexander Moretti.
That I'd fabricated abuse allegations to gain access to money.
For a moment, I wanted to disappear.
The headlines were humiliating.
My photograph appeared beside Derek's.
People who didn't know me discussed my marriage as though it were entertainment.
Then Sarah called.
"Emily, we need to talk."
My stomach tightened.
"What happened?"
"Derek contacted a private investigator."
I froze.
"To find me?"
"Possibly. We have evidence he tried to obtain your current address."
My hands began shaking.
Sarah continued.
"We're taking this to the court."
I closed my eyes.
For three years, Derek had convinced me that resistance only made things worse.
Now I was resisting.
And he was becoming desperate.
But something had changed.
I wasn't alone.
I had an attorney.
A sister who believed me.
A support network.
And a growing understanding that Derek's anger was not my responsibility.
That night, I removed my wedding ring.
I placed it in a small envelope.
May you like
Then wrote one sentence on the front.
I choose myself.
