That disappointing response finally broke something deep inside me. I put the bottle away safely and left the house without explaining anything else to them.
That same afternoon, I went to see an attorney named Rachel Vance, and I told her everything about the insults, the control, the herbal teas, and my secret business.
“We need solid evidence, so save samples, messages, recordings, and financial documents without confronting anyone yet,” Rachel instructed me carefully.
I followed her instructions to the letter. I placed an old phone in the kitchen and recorded Gertrude calling me a parasite, forbidding me from speaking to my mother, and saying that I had no rights in her house.
We also sent three samples of the suspicious liquid to a private laboratory.
Meanwhile, my small business grew rapidly. A customer posted a video of my candles online, and my orders multiplied overnight.
I started earning much more than Christopher had ever imagined, but I kept all the money hidden in a separate bank account.
One night, my mother, Joanne, called me with concern in her voice.
“Your mother-in-law asked me not to contact you again, saying a divorced woman was a bad influence on you,” she explained.
I felt deeply ashamed for having allowed my sweet mother to be humiliated as well.
“Give me a little more time, Mom, because I’m already getting ready to leave,” I promised her.
Two weeks later, I received another painful blow. I called the financial company because the monthly statement for a savings policy I had been paying for since before marriage hadn’t arrived.
“The policy was canceled and the money was withdrawn last month, confirmed with your electronic signature,” the customer service agent reported.
I went directly to Christopher’s workplace to face him.
“Where is my money?” I demanded immediately.
His guilty silence was a complete confession.
“My mom had an urgent financial emergency, so I thought I’d give it back to you soon,” he stammered.
“You used my private credentials and withdrew one hundred and eighty thousand dollars without my permission,” I said coldly.
“Don’t make a public scene here,” he pleaded weakly.
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