Chapter 6 - The Cost of Refusing to Go Home
I was discharged to Alex’s condominium in Lincoln Park.
Victor remained in the high-rise because his name was also on the lease. My protection order prohibited contact, not his occupancy.
I left behind maternity clothes, work files, jewelry, and the nursery we had finished two weeks earlier.
Walking away from it felt like walking away from the person I had expected to become.
I told myself the baby did not care about wallpaper.
My mother drove in from Naperville and stayed with me during the day.
Alex slept on his couch because he gave me his bedroom.
No one called the arrangement comfortable.
It was safe.
Victor responded through attorneys.
He accused me of removing confidential company records and demanded the return of all Hale Urban documents.
Rebecca returned originals that belonged to the company and preserved lawful copies relevant to my responsibilities and defense.
He also petitioned for access to our joint funds, claiming I had abandoned the marriage while damaging the family company.
My family-law attorney, Denise Morgan, warned me not to expect one hearing to resolve finances, housing, and future custody.
“We document,” she said. “We move carefully.”
That advice sounded painfully slow after a morning of violence.
But slow was better than trapped.
The lender hired a forensic accounting firm.
Hale Urban’s investors demanded an independent review.
Several subcontractors filed notices regarding unpaid invoices.
Victor blamed me for all of it.
Then Raul did something unexpected.
He called Alex.
Not me.
He asked whether I would withdraw the fraud allegation if the family agreed that Victor should enter anger-management treatment.
Alex answered, “Those are two different issues.”
Raul replied, “Not to the company.”
That sentence exposed the family logic.
My body, Victor’s violence, their financing, and their reputation were all one problem because everything existed to protect Hale Urban.
Two days later, Nora contacted Rebecca.
She wanted immunity from termination if she cooperated with the financial review.
Rebecca told her she represented me, not the company.
Nora answered, “Then tell Claire I still have the video.”
Not a clip.
The entire video.
May you like
From before Victor struck me until security entered.
And she had not filmed it for the reason Victor believed.
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