Chapter 7 - The Paper War Begins
Sarah picked up on the third ring. “Claire? It’s been ages! What’s going on?”
“Sarah,” I said, my voice finally cracking under the weight of the day. “I need you. Ben drained our accounts, embezzled forty-five thousand dollars to his sister, and tried to starve Lily at her birthday party today to save catering costs.”
The warmth in Sarah’s voice vanished instantly, replaced by the steel-trap precision that made her a terrifying presence in family court.
“Are you and Lily safe right now?”
“Yes. We’re home. Ben is at his sister’s.”
“Good. Listen to me carefully,” Sarah instructed. “Do not move any money back right now, because we want the paper trail pristine. Take screenshots of every single bank transaction from the last six months. Download the PDF statements immediately before he realizes you’ve seen them and tries to alter or dispute access. Do you have the document from the party venue?”
“Yes. The manager let me photograph both pages—the food restriction with his signature, and the billing addendum.”
“Brilliant,” Sarah said. “That’s evidence of willful child neglect and financial dissipation of marital assets. I’m texting you an encrypted link. Upload everything there tonight. I will file an emergency ex-parte motion tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM for exclusive use of the marital residence, temporary sole legal and physical custody of Lily, and a comprehensive asset-freeze order on all accounts associated with Ben’s Social Security number.”
“Can he take Lily?” I asked, my throat tight.
May you like
“Over my dead body,” Sarah replied. “Get your locks changed first thing in the morning. And Claire? Do not speak to him on the phone. Text or email only. Let him bury himself.”
***
