Chapter 8 - SERENA’S CIVIL CLAIM
Serena sued me.
Not for ending the engagement.
For wrongful retention of certain personal property and reputational damage associated with statements allegedly made by household staff.
Most claims narrowed quickly.
One property issue was legitimate.
A wine collection in the estate cellar belonged partly to her.
Inventory had been confused.
We returned it.
No drama.
The defamation claims were weaker because I had made few public statements.
My attorney had insisted on silence.
Good advice.
The lawsuit taught me another lesson.
Being wronged does not make you legally right about everything.
Serena had property rights.
Privacy rights.
Due process.
I respected them.
That made my own case stronger.
Then discovery produced text messages between Serena and a friend.
Friend:
Do you even love the kid?
Serena:
He’s fine when Lily isn’t around.
Friend:
That’s not an answer.
Serena:
I love the life Victor and I are building. Ethan is part of it.
Cold.
But not evidence of abuse.
Then:
Once Lily’s gone, he’ll attach to me.
That was more relevant.
Later:
If he cries long enough, eventually he’ll learn.
What did that mean?
Context showed sleep training.
Again, not automatically abuse.
But combined with video?
Concerning.
The civil suit eventually settled narrowly.
Property returned.
Claims released.
May you like
No giant damages.
Serena’s larger consequences would come elsewhere.
