Chapter 5 - DIANE CHOSE A SIDE
Diane arrived at Dad’s house in March.
Uninvited.
She stood on the porch holding a casserole.
Dad did not let her inside.
He called me.
“Your decision.”
I looked through the window.
Evan’s mother looked twenty years older.
I stepped onto the porch.
Noah remained with Dad.
Diane held out the dish.
“I made chicken.”
“I’m not hungry.”
Her arms lowered.
“Lena.”
“What?”
“I know he lied.”
I waited.
She began crying.
“Kara’s lawyer contacted me.”
“Why?”
“Money.”
Of course.
Investigators wanted records.
Diane discovered the “business” did not exist.
She also learned the five-thousand-dollar repayment she received came from money Evan borrowed using my identity.
That devastated her.
Not because it was the worst thing he did.
Because it was the first betrayal aimed directly at her.
I hated myself for thinking that.
Then stopped.
Truth can be ugly.
Diane had dismissed my fear for years.
Now she understood because he stole from her too.
“I should’ve listened.”
“Yes.”
She flinched.
I did not soften it.
“He told me you were unstable.”
“I know.”
“He said you spent money secretly.”
“I know.”
“He said you kept Noah from him.”
“I know.”
Diane looked at me.
“How?”
“Because he said versions of those things to everyone.”
She started crying harder.
“I raised him.”
“Yes.”
“What did I do wrong?”
I almost answered cruelly.
Instead:
“That is not a question I can solve for you.”
She nodded.
Fair.
Then she handed me an envelope.
Bank statements.
Texts.
Voice messages.
Evan had borrowed from her repeatedly.
One message mattered.
Diane had asked:
Does Lena know about all this?
Evan:
No, and keep it that way. If she finds out before I fix everything she’ll use Noah to destroy me.
Diane had replied:
You’re the husband. Handle your house.
I stared.
She whispered:
“I’m ashamed.”
“Good.”
The word came out before I could stop it.
She looked shocked.
Then nodded.
“Yes.”
I continued.
“Use it.”
That surprised both of us.
“Don’t make me comfort you for what you ignored.”
“I won’t.”
“And don’t ask Noah to fix your relationship with Evan.”
“I won’t.”
“Or mine.”
“No.”
“Then give everything to investigators.”
She did.
That was the first useful thing she gave me.
Not chicken.
May you like
Evidence.
---
