Chapter 4 - I STOPPED TRYING TO SAVE MY MARRIAGE
Until that Saturday, some stupid part of me still believed there was a version of this where Michael came home, apologized, got help, and somehow became the man I thought I married.
That part disappeared when I heard what he had told the police.
On Monday morning, I met with a family-law attorney named Denise Harper.
I brought photographs from my phone, Leo’s discharge papers, bank screenshots, and the handwritten notes I had made while trapped.
Denise read everything without interrupting.
“You need to separate two things,” she finally said. “Your marriage and your safety.”
That sentence gave me permission I hadn’t known I needed.
We petitioned for a temporary order of protection and emergency temporary custody.
Denise warned me that nothing permanent would happen overnight.
There would be hearings.
Michael would respond.
The financial issues would take longer.
But temporary boundaries could be established immediately.
I agreed.
By noon, Michael was legally prohibited from contacting me except through counsel regarding Leo.
I also opened a checking account in my own name and changed every password I could think of.
Michael reacted exactly as Denise predicted.
He did not apologize.
He sent a six-page statement through his lawyer describing me as emotionally unstable, financially irresponsible, and obsessed with Valerie.
He claimed the empty pantry resulted from a missed grocery delivery.
He claimed the rear padlock had always been there.
He claimed I misunderstood his joke about three days.
Derek destroyed that argument before it survived twenty-four hours.
He gave police his text exchange with Michael.
The final message had been sent Friday morning.
Saturday. 7:00. Get the laptop before she can make calls.
Underneath it, Derek had asked:
Thought Emily was at Hannah’s?
May you like
Michael’s answer was only four words.
She won’t be leaving.
