Chapter 15 - Derek’s Plea
Derek waited longer.
His lawyer challenged admissibility of some phone extraction.
Negotiated.
Argued marital authorization.
The notary video was difficult to explain.
So was fake email.
So was spreadsheet.
He eventually pleaded guilty to multiple offenses including identity theft and forgery related to the HELOC and lease guarantee, with financial restitution terms.
The court considered:
No prior criminal history.
Professional employment.
Planning over months.
Use of spouse’s identity.
Substantial financial risk.
Cooperation came late.
He received a custodial sentence longer than Valerie’s, followed by supervision and restitution.
Not decades.
Enough to interrupt the life he had planned.
At sentencing, Derek looked at me for first time in months.
“Claire.”
Judge told him address court, not me.
Good.
He apologized generally.
Then said:
“I never thought of it as stealing because we were married.”
The courtroom changed.
Judge answered:
“Marriage is not blanket consent to impersonate a spouse.”
Exactly.
Derek continued:
“I thought I would pay it back.”
Judge:
“Intent to replace funds later does not authorize obtaining them through another person’s identity.”
Again.
Simple.
Afterward, reporters? No. This was not celebrity case. A local courthouse. No media circus. Good.
Lauren and I walked to parking garage.
“That’s it?”
“For criminal plea/sentence, mostly. Restitution monitoring remains.”
“I expected…”
“What?”
“More feeling.”
“You’ve been feeling for a year.”
True.
Divorce final hearing came three weeks later.
Judge approved settlement largely negotiated.
Townhouse equity split with adjustments.
I retained my separate inherited assets under prenup.
Derek retained retirement subject to agreed marital portion calculations.
I received reimbursement credit for substantial unauthorized marital funds spent on affair related housing and purchases.
Not every restaurant.
Not every gift.
Courts do not audit heartbreak dollar by dollar.
The forged debts were allocated through settlements and orders.
No ongoing spousal maintenance.
Both self supporting.
Marriage dissolved.
Six years reduced to decree.
I signed.
My hand did not shake.
Then Derek’s attorney handed Lauren a sealed letter.
From Derek.
I almost threw away.
Hannah said:
“You don’t have to read.”
I waited two months.
Then did.
Derek wrote:
I thought being loved by you meant you would always choose peace over consequences.
That was the most accurate thing he ever said.
Then:
I loved you, but I also used you.
Both can be true.
I hated that sentence.
Because maybe.
People are not easier when betrayal cancels every good memory.
May you like
It doesn’t.
That is why grief lasts.
