Chapter 5 - THE CONFLICT DEREK HID
Derek had negotiated Meridian’s commercial relationship for his employer.
Then invested family money into Meridian privately.
Maybe that was permitted if disclosed.
It was not disclosed.
His employer launched an internal review after receiving notice through proper channels during discovery.
I did not call his CEO demanding termination.
Rachel advised against weaponizing employment without legal basis.
But some records obtained in the divorce showed potentially relevant conflict-of-interest communications.
Counsel handled the appropriate disclosure.
The company acted independently.
Derek was placed on administrative leave.
Not fired.
Not convicted.
Review first.
That was the pattern I was learning to respect even when anger wanted speed.
Meridian’s founder, Caleb Cole, had offered Derek an early investment opportunity.
Derek saw enormous potential.
He wanted more capital.
Our joint savings would provide it.
I had already objected to cryptocurrency investments earlier in marriage.
I had also repeatedly told Derek I wanted most of our liquid savings preserved during pregnancy.
So he built another structure.
The family trust.
He told himself it was still “our” money.
He told himself I was risk-averse because pregnancy had made me anxious.
He told himself he understood finance better.
Then, when I resisted more generally, he began documenting me as unstable.
That progression was terrifying because each step probably felt rational to him.
The employer review found he had failed to disclose his personal investment in Meridian while involved in vendor discussions.
No evidence showed he took bribes.
No evidence showed Meridian paid him secretly.
But the undisclosed financial interest violated company policy.
Derek lost his management role.
He remained employed temporarily in a reduced capacity while discipline proceeded.
His identity began cracking.
Then his behavior changed.
Not improved.
Worsened.
He violated the temporary no-contact provisions by emailing me directly.
YOU’RE DESTROYING MY CAREER.
I forwarded it to Rachel.
Another:
YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU’RE DOING.
Another:
LILY WILL SUFFER BECAUSE OF YOU.
That one made me physically sick.
The court addressed the violation.
Restrictions tightened.
Communication moved through a monitored parenting application once future child contact became relevant.
At that point, Derek had no unsupervised contact with Lily because of the domestic violence incident and her newborn age.
But courts do not permanently terminate parent-child relationships based on one allegation without process.
A temporary arrangement allowed supervised visits once professionals determined it could occur safely.
I hated the idea.
May you like
Then had to separate my fear from Lily’s legal and developmental interests.
That would become one of the hardest things I ever did.
