Chapter 12 - My worst text message
I gave Derek’s lawyer a gift.
Not literally.
Emotionally.
Four days before the basement incident, after he refused to sign a temporary parenting schedule, I texted:
If you keep pushing this, I will make sure everyone knows exactly what you are. You will lose the kids, the apartment access, and every person who still believes your lies.
Terrible.
I was angry.
I was also wrong to tell a parent he would “lose the kids” as though children were property I could award.
Derek’s attorney used it to support:
Rachel intended to destroy Derek and manufacture evidence.
The basement evidence still existed.
My text still made me look vindictive.
I owned it.
In court I said:
“I wrote it. I regret it. I was trying to frighten him.”
Derek’s attorney asked:
“Control him?”
I paused.
“Yes.”
That answer hurt.
It also prevented me from pretending our relationship was one-directional in every form.
Derek used coercive control.
I sometimes used threats of social and custodial consequence.
May you like
Not equivalent.
Still mine.
