She was sobbing.
“Please save us.”
I stood on a hotel balcony in Provence, looking over vineyards glowing in the morning light.
Then Priya texted me.
“The judge signed the preservation order. Mark has officially been served.”
That was when I finally called him.
He answered immediately.
“Finally! Fix this.”
I leaned against the balcony railing.
“There’s nothing to fix.”
Silence.
Then Lorraine’s voice suddenly came through the phone.
“You froze our money because your feelings were hurt?”
“No.”
My voice remained calm.
“The bank restricted disputed funds because I reported a forged financial guarantee.”
The silence changed.
It became heavier.
Mark spoke next.
“What guarantee?”
“The **$480,000 Northstar credit line**.”
I heard Dana whisper something in the background.
I continued.
“I know who owns Northstar.”
Nobody answered.
“I know where the money went.”
Still nothing.
“I know the application came from your office.”
I paused.
“And I know your mother’s email was used as the recovery address.”
Lorraine stopped crying.
Mark switched to anger.
“We’re married. You can’t accuse me of stealing money that belongs to both of us.”
“Joint money is one issue.”
I kept my voice even.
