Chapter 8 - Marissa’s Debt
Marissa’s financial problems were less dramatic than I expected.
No secret gambling losses.
No drugs.
No blackmail.
She had simply spent beyond her means while hiding how little income she had during maternity leave.
Her previous job as a transaction coordinator brought about $68,000 annually.
After Miles was born, she reduced work sharply.
I covered more household expenses.
She told me she was fine.
Then credit cards.
Furniture.
Travel with Rhett.
Gifts.
A $9,000 “investment” into one of Rhett’s property deals.
Another $12,500 two months later.
He promised repayment.
No written partnership agreement.
She trusted him.
Irony.
Then joint account.
We each had access.
She transferred money.
Not automatically theft.
Divorce court would examine marital dissipation.
The forensic accountant identified around $34,000 likely spent on the affair or Rhett’s separate projects.
I would seek credit.
No criminal fantasy.
Then the replacement property.
Marissa had toured a house in Broken Arrow near Tulsa with Rhett.
Purchase price:
$472,000.
She told the agent they were engaged.
While married to me.
Earnest deposit:
$15,000.
Source:
$8,000 from Marissa’s separate account.
$7,000 from our joint savings.
The purchase contract was contingent on sale proceeds from “current Edmond property.”
My house.
The deal collapsed when Red River Title stopped closing.
Marissa lost some costs.
The seller later returned most earnest after litigation threat because contingency failed.
No secret house transferred.
Then why was she leaving the children?
The title company had demanded direct contact with me.
Rhett convinced her they could “fix” the document issue in person by presenting additional paperwork.
They drove to the title office.
They stayed for hours because Olivia Chen refused to proceed.
Marissa could have left at any point.
She did not.
She prioritized a fraudulent closing over going home to Tessa and Miles.
That became prosecutors’ theory.
Then Marissa’s interview.
She admitted affair.
Admitted intended sale.
Denied understanding Rhett planned under-market resale.
Claimed she believed $615,000 was “good enough” because no mortgage.
She knew the house was worth more.
Property tax valuation alone suggested it.
Then:
“Why not ask Grant?”
“He would say no.”
Again.
Then:
“Why did you think you could sell?”
“Because I had put eleven years into that house.”
Emotional ownership.
Not legal authority.
Then:
“Why leave the children?”
“I thought I’d be gone less than an hour.”
At first.
Then title problems.
Why not return?
“Rhett said we were almost done.”
Why ignore Tessa?
“I panicked.”
Then pantry.
“She snacks constantly.”
Nine years old.
Then carrier.
“I thought Miles was safest attached to her.”
No.
An adult sitter was safest.
Then threat.
Marissa cried.
“I never intended to give Miles away.”
I believed that.
“Why say it?”
“To stop Tessa from calling Grant.”
There.
Witness intimidation of a child.
Then:
“Did you know Tessa was scared?”
“Yes.”
“Did you go home?”
“No.”
That was the hardest admission.
May you like
She knew.
She stayed.
