Chapter 8 - THE DECISION THAT ENDED THE MARRIAGE
Ethan filed for divorce the next morning.
He also submitted a sworn statement describing the original withdrawal from Lucas’s investment account, the credentials he had given Candice, the messages he sent supporting strict discipline, and his failure to verify what happened while he traveled.
Lauren warned that the admissions could affect property division, the child-services investigation, and Ethan’s professional reputation.
“They’re still true,” he said.
Candice’s response arrived within hours.
She sought temporary spousal support, claimed half the value of the house, and accused Ethan of abandoning a jointly approved family business after it encountered financial difficulty.
She also demanded compensation for two years of unpaid work building FreshFold.
The marriage became another account to be divided.
Ethan accepted the permanent local position with his employer. He sold his late-model SUV and replaced it with a used sedan so he could cover legal fees without touching Lucas’s remaining funds.
Lucas remained with Ruth.
He attended therapy but refused joint sessions with Ethan.
“I’m not ready to make him feel better,” he told the therapist.
Ethan heard the statement later and understood that it was fair.
A court order prohibited Candice, Brooke, and Ethan from moving FreshFold records or property.
That night, the storage facility manager called Samuel.
Candice had arrived with a rental truck and demanded access to the Grove City unit. She claimed the court order applied only to bank accounts.
The manager refused after reading the notice attached to the account.
Candice called Brooke.
Security footage showed them arguing in the parking lot. Brooke left alone. Candice remained outside the gate for nearly an hour.
Lauren requested immediate court supervision of the storage unit.
Inside, investigators found customer bags, financial records, tax notices, employee files, and a locked metal cabinet.
The cabinet contained copies of Lucas’s birth certificate, Social Security card, learner’s permit, school records, and his late mother’s death certificate.
There were also completed loan applications that had not yet been submitted.
Each listed Lucas as an eighteen-year-old business owner.
His date of birth had been altered by two years.
The intended loans totaled $190,000.
Candice had not been trying merely to keep FreshFold operating until Ethan returned.
She had been preparing to borrow more money under Lucas’s identity.
One application contained a handwritten note:
Submit after ownership statement is signed.
The ownership statement was missing.
Candice’s attorney produced it the following week.
It carried Lucas’s signature and declared that he had knowingly operated FreshFold, hired employees, controlled all accounts, and asked Candice to assist only because he was a minor.
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Lucas said he had never seen it.
A handwriting examiner said the signature appeared genuine.
