The medication was clearly taking a toll. "Can we talk? " she asked. I let her in but didn't offer her a seat. She stood in the foyer like a stranger. My lawyer says I'm going to lose everything.
She said, "The house, the retirement accounts, even my health insurance once we're divorced. That's what the prenup stipulates. " Owen, I need help. I can't afford the medical treatment on my own. The medication costs $2,000 a month. My company fired me yesterday.
My Cobra insurance kicks in next month, but I don't have the money to pay the premiums. I'd known the firing was coming. Still, hearing it confirmed gave me a grim satisfaction. You should have thought about that before Peru. So, are you just going to let me suffer?
I'm going to let you experience the natural consequences of your choices. You're an adult, Angela. You made decisions. Now, you handle the outcomes. I made a mistake.
Her voice rose. One stupid mistake and you're acting like I'm a criminal. You committed fraud with company funds. You exposed yourself to a known health risk. You lied to me for weeks.
That's not one mistake. That's a pattern of deception. She wiped her eyes angrily. What about Kyle? He manipulated me.
He targeted me. Doesn't that count for something? It count for nothing? I said, because you're an adult with agency who chose to go to Peru. You chose to share a hotel room.
You chose to ignore every red flag because it felt good in the moment. Kyle being a predator doesn't erase your responsibility. My lawyer said you're building a CDC case against him. She said if he's charged, I might be called as a witness. You will be along with the other seven women he did this to.
Angela's face went pale. Seven. I pulled out my phone and showed her Emma's document. Seven that we know of so far. You're not special, Angela.
You're just the most recent. She read for a moment, then lowered the phone slowly. He did this before. Multiple times? Yes.
And you knew about this when? I suspected from the beginning. Confirmed it 3 days ago. Doesn't change anything about our situation. It changes everything.
If he targeted me specifically, if this was planned, then you fell for it. I interrupted. Which proves you were willing to betray our marriage given the right circumstances. The manipulation doesn't absolve you. It just explains why you were an easy mark.