Chapter 6 - MY HUSBAND’S SECOND STORY
Matt tried to present himself as another victim of Jenna’s temper.
He said he invited me to breakfast because he believed reconciliation was possible. He claimed he never expected violence and froze when his sister attacked.
Then investigators recovered the declaration from Howard’s kitchen table.
Its metadata showed it had been created on Matt’s laptop.
The first draft was saved three weeks earlier.
A later version included language describing me as emotionally unstable and financially motivated. Matt had added that paragraph the night before breakfast.
His messages to Jenna were worse.
She won’t sign if Dad pushes too hard.
Keep her in the kitchen until she understands.
No marks where court clothes show.
Jenna replied:
She always folds when you stand there.
Matt answered:
Not anymore. That’s why we need the statement.
My husband had not watched passively.
He had designed his role to look passive.
Jenna would apply pressure. Howard would demand an apology. Linda would avoid the room. Matt would stand in the doorway and later claim he was too shocked to intervene.
If I signed, the family would have its declaration.
If I refused and reported the assault, Matt would blame Jenna’s temper.
He intended to keep his marriage, protect the business, and sacrifice his sister only if necessary.
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When Jenna’s attorney received the messages, the family’s unity ended quickly. Jenna accused Matt of planning everything. Howard said he believed the meeting concerned only documents. Linda said she stayed near the coffee maker because she was frightened.
Each person remembered enough to protect themselves and too little to protect me.
