Chapter 17 - Derek’s Version
Derek told investigators Sarah was unstable.
He presented messages where she apologized after arguments.
Said she overreacted.
Promised to be better.
He claimed they proved she understood she was the problem.
The investigator read one aloud.
I’m sorry. Please come home. I’ll keep the house quiet.
Then asked:
“Why did your pregnant wife believe she had to promise silence before you returned?”
Derek had no answer.
He showed photographs of vacations.
Birthday dinners.
A smiling ultrasound appointment.
He said abusers did not create happy memories.
The investigator replied:
“Happy photographs do not cancel coercion.”
Derek insisted he never punched Sarah.
That was true.
He used grabbing.
Blocking doors.
Threats.
Financial dependence.
Sleep deprivation.
Humiliation.
He relied on violence that left fewer marks.
The thumb-shaped bruise existed because he became careless.
He blamed stress.
The failed business.
The baby.
Frank.
Leah.
Celeste.
May you like
Everyone except himself.
His version failed because the security video preserved what happened when he believed no one important was watching.
