Chapter 11 - Victor Tries To Rewrite Me
Divorce discovery gave Victor another venue to attack.
His family lawyer argued he was still Lucas’s legal father and deserved information.
My attorney, Rachel Stone, sought sole custody and suspension of contact based on pending attempted murder charges against pregnant mother and child endangerment.
The judge granted temporary sole legal and physical custody to me.
Victor received no direct visitation pending criminal resolution.
His lawyer could receive basic medical updates through counsel.
I agreed to neutral summaries.
Lucas stable.
Vaccinations.
No photos.
Then Victor’s defense team subpoenaed parts of my medical records and therapy? Privileged limits. They sought mental health history to support theory I was unstable at cliff.
We fought.
Judge allowed relevant medical records of pregnancy/trauma but protected therapy unless specific legal basis.
No fishing.
Then Victor leaked through sources? We can't assert without proof. Media began reporting:
“Defense may argue domestic dispute preceded fall.”
That was public court filing.
I refused interviews.
Then his family.
Victor’s mother, Diane Hale, contacted.
We had never been close.
She called crying.
“I don’t believe he meant to kill you.”
“What do you believe?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then don’t tell me.”
She apologized.
Then asked to see Lucas.
I said not yet.
She respected.
Months later, after evidence/audio public at hearing, she wrote:
I heard recording. I am sorry I questioned you.
Then no request.
That mattered.
Victor’s father had died years earlier.
No family conspiracy.
Then financial divorce.
Marital home.
Joint assets.
Victor’s debts.
Because he had used marital funds for affair and fraud premiums, the court would consider dissipation.
But criminal restitution and lenders complicated.
A receiver held assets.
I did not automatically get everything.
My separate Marlowe trust remained mine.
The $50m policy voided ab initio? Cross Atlantic rescinded increase due fraud. Original $5m policy? Since insured alive, policy could be terminated; no payout. We cancelled/rescinded entire policy after legal process and refunded legitimate premium portion to appropriate account minus fraud? The company voided increase and later policy lapsed/cancelled at my request. No death benefit.
Victor never got dollar.
Then his business entered bankruptcy.
Creditors recovered assets.
I had signed one personal guarantee on a small business line? Victor had maybe forged? Let's not create. My liability limited.
Then Serena's six million promise nonexistent.
Martin bonus nonexistent.
The plan created only prison exposure.
Then Victor offered divorce settlement:
He would relinquish claims to marital home and not seek custody if I wrote prosecutor saying I did not believe shove intentional.
I stared at offer.
Rachel Stone said:
“That is improper leverage.”
We forwarded to criminal prosecutors? A settlement offer by counsel could be privileged in some contexts, but using custody to influence criminal statement could be problematic. We did not exploit publicly. His family attorney withdrew after Rachel objected.
No deal.
Then Victor’s trial counsel requested interview with me.
Declined.
My testimony through prosecution.
Then Adrian asked:
“Do you want me to buy the house from bankruptcy estate so you keep?”
“No.”
It was marital Aspen/Denver? Our primary house outside Denver.
I did not want.
We sold.
My share placed after court.
I rented then bought later elsewhere.
No sentimental need.
Nursery hurt.
I kept Lucas's crib and blanket.
Not Victor's cologne one.
Then at six months, Lucas said maybe “ma.”
Adrian insisted first word.
“It was noise.”
“Clearly mother.”
“You’re biased.”
“I’m biologically predisposed.”
That made me laugh.
Then he asked again:
“What do you want to do with Cross Atlantic?”
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing about job. I mean your paternity makes estate questions.”
I stiffened.
“No.”
“Not asking you to join. I’m asking whether you want legal recognition.”
“I have DNA.”
“I mean my estate plan.”
“I don’t want money.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
I hated that.
He continued:
“I have no other children.”
There.
He had divorced long ago.
His ex-wife never had children.
If he died, much would go foundation and trusts.
Now he wanted include me.
I said:
“Do nothing for a year.”
He nodded.
“Done.”
No rush to turn rescue into inheritance.
Then Martin’s formal plea.
He admitted he personally overrode policy controls in exchange for concealed compensation and anticipated bonus.
He apologized to board.
Not me.
Later letter:
I knew the system existed to stop exactly what Victor was doing, and I treated it as obstacle.
That was good.
I did not answer.
Then trial date for Victor set.
Lucas would be eleven months.
Nearly one year since cliff.
May you like
I had spent year rebuilding body.
Now I had to walk into court and listen to husband say I fell.
