Chapter 3 - The House She Did Not Return To
Trevor expected Naomi home that night.
He ordered takeout from her favorite restaurant and left flowers on the kitchen counter.
Candace laughed when she saw them.
“You think roses fix a tantrum?”
Trevor glared at her.
“Do not start.”
“I am not starting anything. Your wife is punishing you because she wants attention.”
Trevor looked at the empty chair across from him.
Naomi had sat there every night.
She would ask about his day.
She would remind him to eat.
She would listen while he complained about clients, deadlines, contractors, and his mother’s demands.
Now the chair was empty.
And the house felt wrong.
His phone rang.
It was his lawyer.
“Trevor,” the man said cautiously, “I received a notice from an attorney representing Naomi.”
Trevor’s stomach tightened.
“What notice?”
“She has filed for a protective order and requested a financial preservation order.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means you cannot move, hide, transfer, or spend significant marital assets until the court reviews the situation.”
Trevor stood.
“This is ridiculous.”
“She also provided evidence of unauthorized transfers from your company accounts.”
Trevor’s face changed.
“What evidence?”
“Payments to Candace’s consulting firm.”
Candace stopped moving.
Trevor turned slowly toward her.
“You told me that business was legitimate.”
“It is.”
“Then why is Naomi’s lawyer asking about it?”
Candace grabbed her handbag.
“You told me she was too scared to do anything.”
Trevor stared at her.
For the first time, Candace looked frightened.
Naomi had never challenged them before.
That had been the foundation of their confidence.
The next morning, Trevor drove to Lila’s apartment.
He stood outside in the rain, knocking for ten minutes before Naomi finally opened the door.
The bruise on her cheek had darkened purple beneath her eye.
Trevor’s face tightened.
“Naomi.”
She said nothing.
“I brought your things.”
“I do not need them.”
“You need to come home.”
“No.”
“Candace is willing to apologize.”
Naomi looked at him.
“Is she willing to admit she assaulted me?”
Trevor hesitated.
“She was upset.”
“No,” Naomi said. “She was violent.”
“She is my sister.”
“And I was your wife.”
Trevor took a step closer.
“You still are.”
Naomi held up the court papers.
“Not for long.”
His eyes moved across the documents.
“You are really doing this?”
“You watched her hit me.”
“I did not think—”
“That is the problem, Trevor. You never think about me until I stop making your life easy.”
He looked at the bruised mark on her face.
“I am sorry.”
Naomi’s expression remained calm.
May you like
“You are sorry I left.”
The door closed before he could answer.
