Chapter 13 - Eric’s Real Plan
Eric’s plan had four stages.
First, drain Lena’s liquid savings through the household card.
Second, use her money to purchase Diane’s condominium, moving his mother out before the divorce became hostile.
Third, refinance Lena’s house using forged documents and false medical claims.
Fourth, file for divorce and argue that the remaining mortgage debt belonged to both spouses.
If successful, Eric could walk away with cash while Lena remained trapped in legal disputes over her own property.
Diane knew about the condominium and refinancing.
Kara knew about the planned divorce.
Neither knew about the other.
Eric maintained separate stories for each woman.
To Diane, he was a devoted son protecting family property.
To Kara, he was a trapped husband preparing a new life.
To Lena, he was a financially stressed spouse who needed patience.
The truth was simpler.
Eric wanted everyone else to finance his choices.
When prosecutors confronted him with Kara’s messages, he stopped cooperating.
His attorney advised him to accept a plea agreement.
Eric refused.
He believed Lena would avoid a public trial.
He sent a message through the divorce attorneys.
Drop the criminal complaint, and I won’t seek part of the house.
Rachel laughed when she read it.
“He is offering not to take property he has no right to.”
Lena did not laugh.
The offer revealed that Eric still believed intimidation might work.
She instructed Rachel to respond:
All communication will proceed through the courts.
Nothing more.
No anger.
No negotiation.
May you like
Eric had lived inside Lena’s emotional reactions for years.
Now he received none.
