Karen turned toward me.
“How much did you hear?”
“Enough to know I should probably buy a book.”
She laughed, though her eyes were wet.
I crossed the room and took her hand.
“Are you okay?”
She thought about it.
Then she nodded.
“Yes.”
And for once, I believed her.
But Michael wasn’t finished.
Two days later, his attorney sent Karen’s lawyer a formal notice alleging that her new relationship had begun before the separation and that she had used marital resources to support me.
It was another attempt to create leverage in the divorce.
This time, however, Karen wasn’t frightened into silence.
Her attorney submitted the financial records, the lease documents, and the evidence showing that the bookstore had been funded through Karen’s own savings and properly documented transactions.
Michael’s claims weakened under scrutiny.
Eventually, he withdrew the allegations rather than pursue them further.
He never apologized.
Some people would rather lose an argument than admit they were wrong.
