Chapter 5 - MARGARET'S PLAN
Claire called attorney Maya Sloan.
Maya reviewed the prenup.
“It’s not as bad as Margaret wants you to think.”
Claire frowned.
“The conduct clause?”
“Applies to specific support benefits, not your ordinary marital rights.”
“What support?”
Maya traced the structure.
When Claire married Ethan, Margaret had offered:
use of trust-owned housing during transitions,
certain moving costs,
temporary legal support,
and access to one family-owned vehicle.
Perks.
Not property rights.
Margaret was threatening to remove benefits she controlled.
More importantly, the prenup could not magically turn Claire’s marital assets into Margaret’s.
Then Maya asked:
“Do you and Ethan own anything together?”
“Yes.”
“Accounts?”
“Yes.”
“Equity?”
“Yes.”
“Your income?”
“My own.”
“Then breathe.”
Claire did.
Then Maya said:
“Now tell me about the videos.”
Claire explained.
Maya’s expression changed.
“What Margaret is doing may not be illegal by itself. But if she is intentionally provoking you to manufacture evidence for litigation, context matters.”
Claire asked:
“How do I prove context?”
“Stop performing for her.”
That stung.
“I’m not performing.”
“You were at five this morning.”
Claire closed her eyes.
True.
Maya continued:
“Margaret wants reactions. Give her records.”
Not revenge.
Documentation.
Claire started a log.
Date.
Statement.
Witness.
Action.
Then requested preservation of household camera footage.
All of it.
Not just Margaret’s selected clips.
Margaret’s lawyer refused voluntarily.
Maya smiled.
“Good.”
Claire frowned.
May you like
“Why good?”
“Because people get interesting when they curate.”
