Chapter 10 - Debt in the Bills
Wyatt’s countermove arrived in the bills. He redirected his paycheck, stopped his HOA transfer, and told Claire he would pay only if she left his belongings and job alone. He also demanded that Harper remain at Evan’s until they completed mediation. It kept Harper close enough to pressure and far enough to avoid Claire’s questions. When Claire refused, Wyatt called Renee on speaker. Renee said Harper would describe the kitchen incident to campus housing unless Claire stopped “punishing us with money.” Claire reminded her that the tuition promise came from Wyatt, not her. Renee replied, “He wouldn’t need plans if you let him make decisions.” The grievance was older than Harper’s visit. Claire covered the missed HOA payment from savings and booked a credit-union counselor. Wyatt laughed at the appointment, then asked three times whether the counselor could see transfers from separate accounts. His fear looked like debt, not divorce. By evening, his confidence had changed into arithmetic.
