Chapter 7
As the court date got closer, Mark got more aggressive.
He sent threatening texts.
He tried to claim Leo’s medical bills were my fault.
He even told people I’d pushed for unnecessary treatment.
But Elena and I had all the proof we needed.
My lawyer also found something else.
Mark had been stealing money from our joint account for months.
Thousands of dollars.
All spent on Elena—on trips, gifts, the apartment.
He’d drained our savings while my son was sick.
While I was worrying about medicine and doctors, he was paying for dinners and jewelry.
When I found out, my hands stopped shaking.
They clenched into fists.
This wasn’t just about heartbreak anymore.
It was about justice.
The night before the hearing, I went to see Leo’s grave.
I brought his favorite blue balloon.
“I’m going to tell the whole world tomorrow, baby,” I whispered. “No more lies. No more secrets. I promise you, he won’t get away with it.”
The wind carried the balloon up into the sky.
I felt a lightness in my chest.
Like Leo was there, right beside me.
Like he was saying, “I’m proud of you, Mommy.”
I walked back to Sarah’s house with my head held high.
May you like
I was terrified.
But I was ready.
