Chapter 11 - Lauren Was Not Ethan’s Mastermind
I wanted Lauren to be the mastermind.
It would have simplified everything.
She was older.
His boss.
Commercially sophisticated.
She clearly advised him.
But discovery showed Ethan was not manipulated into this.
Sometimes he initiated.
Ethan:
If I move 50 from HELOC now, Rachel won’t notice until year-end statements.
Lauren:
That’s stupid. Don’t do anything you can’t explain.
He did it anyway.
Another:
Lauren:
Tell her about us after closing.
Ethan:
Not until Nashville docs fund.
He was extending the secrecy beyond even Lauren’s preferred timeline.
Then:
Grace knows.
Lauren:
What?
Ethan:
Saw message. I handled it.
Lauren:
Do NOT put your daughter in this.
That surprised me.
Lauren was still culpable for the affair.
Still participating in financial planning that treated me like an obstacle.
But Grace’s secrecy?
That was Ethan.
His decision.
May you like
His moral failure.
I stopped giving Lauren credit for sins my husband had committed perfectly well on his own.
