Chapter 11 - Marriage on Probation
The counselor began with rules: no accusations, no missing numbers, no calling control safety. Claire bristled. When asked who handled money, Claire said, “I do, because Wyatt won’t.” Wyatt answered, “She does because she decided I can’t.” Five years earlier, his food truck had failed after he ignored tax notices and used their emergency fund for payroll. Claire had rescued the mortgage, closed joint cards, and monitored his paycheck. She had never restored equal access after he repaid the tax debt. She had turned old competence into permanent authority. She chose vacations, renovations, and larger purchases. She called the condo mine during arguments, though Wyatt paid expenses and handled repairs. None of that excused his trap. It did explain why his family accepted his version so easily. Claire heard herself say, “I kept waiting for you to earn back a vote.” Wyatt looked down. The counselor asked when marriage had become probation. Claire had no answer that did not indict them both.
