"So we can discuss logistics."
"You want me home now?"
"We own things together."
"We need boundaries."
"You are unbelievable."
"I'll see you later."
She came home around nine.
Blake did not accompany her.
Claire looked exhausted.
Mascara streaked.
Her hair had been pulled into a careless knot.
She entered the kitchen like a storm.
"This is financial abuse."
I had expected that accusation.
Harris had prepared me.
"The joint accounts remain open."
"You have access to household money."
"I removed you only from revolving credit accounts that belong solely to me."
"You cut off my mother's care."
"I paid the current month and provided notice."
"You knew I'd panic."
"Yes."
That was honest.
"I knew the calls would force you to look at the numbers."
"You're sick."
"Maybe."
She stared.
I softened my tone.
"I am not going to hurt Helen to hurt you."
"I told Pinehurst to coordinate with the family."
"If transition is necessary, it happens properly."
"But I'm not automatically paying that bill forever after our marriage ends."
Claire's mouth trembled.
"You make enough."
"That's not the point."
"Then what is?"
"Responsibility."
"You wanted a life independent from me."
"Independence includes expenses."
She slammed her bag onto the counter.
"Blake was right about you."
I almost asked.
Instead, I waited.
"He said you'd do exactly this."
"What exactly?"
"Use money to control me."
"Interesting."
"Stop."
"No, I'm curious."
"Has Blake offered to pay Pinehurst?"
Her face changed.
I regretted the cruelty as soon as I saw it.
But I did not take it back.
"That's disgusting."
"You're right."
"It was."
I breathed.
"Forget Blake."
"This isn't about whether he pays anything."
"It's about the fact that I don't consent to financing a marriage you've already left emotionally."
Claire crossed her arms.
"I'm entitled to things after fifteen years."
"Probably."
"I know."
"You think because the house is in your name you can throw me onto the street."
"No."
"My lawyer already told me not to do anything like that."
Her expression shifted.
"You already have a lawyer."
"Yes."
"You planned all of this."
"After you told me you're in love with another man."
Claire laughed sharply.
Then the threats began.
Not carefully.
Emotionally.
"I'll get half the house."
"Half your pension."
"Alimony."
"You'll keep paying for Mom."
"Fifteen years, Mark."
"I gave you my best years."
I listened.
Not because I agreed.
Because Harris had told me the law would determine rights, not whoever shouted the biggest list first.
When she finished, I said:
"You should get your own attorney."
Her face hardened.
"Don't patronize me."
"I'm not."
"I mean it."
"Get someone good."
That night, I slept in the guest room.
Claire stayed in our bedroom.
The next morning she was gone before I woke.