Patricia smiled. “Then legally, those are his debts. And taking money from joint accounts for an affair is financial infidelity. We can use that.”
Naomi’s recovery plan began. Step one: Separate the finances. She opened a new bank account in her name only and began depositing her checks there. Step two: Gather evidence. A few days later, Derek asked her to clean his car—ironically offering her $50 of her own money as “payment.” While vacuuming, she found his secret burner phone. It was filled with two years of messages and photos of him and Amber. Amber believed Derek was a successful entrepreneur; she even laughed at messages mocking Naomi’s “constant tiredness.”
Naomi felt a flicker of pity for Amber, but it was quickly extinguished. Amber was an adult who had accepted stolen luxury. Naomi photographed every message and sent them to Patricia.
Part 3: The Confrontation
By week four, Naomi had saved $5,400. She had secured a small one-bedroom apartment and quit her two most grueling jobs. She was down to her hospital shift and the call center. She felt like a human being again.