Chapter 7 - My Husband Tried to Steal My Future
|
At eleven the following morning, Elena Brooks called with news that made my stomach turn.
“Clare, your bank has confirmed an application was submitted for a substantial credit facility associated with your jointly owned property.”
I gripped my phone.
“What?”
“The application lists both you and David.”
“I didn't sign anything.”
“That's what we need to establish.”
I sank into a kitchen chair.
Our home was valuable.
David had purchased it shortly before we married, but we'd refinanced together years earlier, and both our names appeared on the title.
I had spent countless hours improving the property.
New windows.
Kitchen renovations.
A repaired deck overlooking the water.
That house represented nearly everything I'd worked for.
“How much was the application?”
“Six hundred thousand dollars.”
I closed my eyes.
“Was it approved?”
“The bank is reviewing the status. I've asked them to flag your dispute and preserve the authorization records.”
I stared across the kitchen.
David had always handled what he called the important financial arrangements.
I handled household expenses.
He handled investments.
That division had seemed practical once.
Now it looked painfully convenient.
Elena continued.
“I also want you to review your credit reports and protect your individual accounts.”
“I'll do it.”
“And Clare?”
“Yes?”
“Don't let him pressure you into signing anything.”
I almost laughed.
“He's been pressuring me for twelve years.”
After the call, I opened our banking application.
Several large withdrawals were visible in our joint checking account.
Some I'd seen before.
Others had been buried beneath routine expenses.
Then I noticed a recent transfer.
Twenty-eight thousand dollars.
Destination: Blue Lantern Holdings.
I recognized the name from the envelope.
My chest tightened.
The transfer had occurred two days earlier.
While David was preparing to meet Jennifer at the Rain Room.
I downloaded the statement.
Then I called him.
He answered immediately.
“Clare, thank God.”
“Did you apply for a six-hundred-thousand-dollar loan using our house?”
Silence.
“David?”
“It's a business arrangement.”
“Did you use my name?”
“We're married.”
“That wasn't my question.”
He sighed.
“Everything we own is shared.”
“Not my identity.”
His voice hardened.
“You have no idea how much trouble you're causing.”
I looked at the statement.
“Then explain the twenty-eight thousand dollars.”
“What twenty-eight thousand?”
“The money sent to Blue Lantern Holdings.”
David exhaled sharply.
“Clare, listen carefully. Jack Thompson is not someone you want involved in our marriage.”
“You involved his wife.”
“Jennifer isn't what you think.”
I stared at the wall.
“Neither are you.”
His voice softened.
“Baby, please. I made mistakes, but I can fix them.”
For a brief moment, I remembered the man who had proposed to me beside the water.
Then I remembered Jennifer adjusting her necklace outside that private suite.
“David, I want a divorce.”
The words came out calmly.
He went completely silent.
Then he whispered:
“If you divorce me now, they'll take everything.”
I frowned.
“Who will?”
He didn't answer.
“David?”
The call disconnected.
And two minutes later, I received a security notification.
May you like
Someone had attempted to access my personal email account.
From David's computer.
Related Stories
