The Call That Destroyed My Father Chapter 07
Mark moved faster than I expected.
At 9:00 Monday morning, right after my father left, a county sheriff’s car pulled up outside our
building.
My mother was watering plants on the balcony.
When the doorbell rang, she went to answer it calmly.
“Mrs. Diane Warren? I’m a deputy with the Briarwood County Sheriff’s Office. This is a temporary restraining order and an emergency order freezing marital assets issued by the Circuit Court of Briarwood County. Please sign to acknowledge service.”
My mother took the documents, flipped through them, and signed.
“Mrs. Warren, this order prohibits Richard Warren from selling, mortgaging, or transferring any asset that may belong to the marital estate. A lis pendens notice has also been filed against the Southridge property.”
My mother nodded, then turned to the study to get the documents.
I stood in the living room and watched the deputy take photos, make notes, and serve the notice like
it was routine.
My head was spinning.
“Mom, didn’t you say we had to wait? Why is this happening so fast?”
My mother handed the deed to the deputy, her voice flat.
“If we waited any longer, this house would’ve been used to cover his debts.”
She glanced at me.
“I applied for emergency injunctive relief. He can’t touch our house anymore, and he can’t keep transferring marital assets.”
I took a deep breath.
How much had my mother been planning over the past 6 months?
Just then, my father called.
I answered, and before I could say anything, his furious voice came through.
“Claire! Is Diane out of her mind? She tied up the house in court.”
“Put Diane on the phone.”
My mother reached out, took the phone, and turned on speaker.
“Diane! What the hell are you trying to do?”
“Do you know Mark also applied for a court order? The company accounts are restricted, and every project has stopped. If the clients sue us for breach of contract, I’ll be paying damages until I’m
bankrupt.”
“That was the point,” my mother said calmly.
“Richard Warren, I filed for divorce, and I applied for an emergency order to hold you accountable for dissipation of marital assets. As for the company funds, Mark has already turned the fake invoices over to the police and the State’s Attorney.”
The other end of the phone went suddenly quiet.
“What did you say?” My father’s voice changed.
“I said I’m divorcing you. But not the peaceful split you imagined.” My mother spoke each word clearly. “You don’t get to take the house, the savings, or any marital asset you tried to hide.”
“You’re insane. What gives you the right?”
“The $3,500,000 in marital assets you moved. The $2,500,000 in company funds you misappropriated.” My mother’s voice was icy. “Every number has your name on it.”
Something shattered on the other end.
“Diane! You think you can win? I’m telling you…”
My mother hung up.
She turned and looked at me.
“Claire, from now on, don’t believe a single word Richard says.”
The day after the asset freeze, Serena showed up.
She stood downstairs outside our building, her face pale.
When she saw me walk out, she rushed forward.
“Claire, tell Diane to settle.”
I leaned against the railing and looked at her.
“Why should I?”
“If Richard goes to prison, what good does that do you and Diane?” Her voice was sharp. “He is your father. Are you really going to watch him get destroyed?”
“My father?” I smiled. “He is a monster. Not my father.”
Serena bit her lip, and tears began rolling down her face.
“I’m begging you to have mercy. I can’t raise this baby without him. Please. Tell Diane to settle. Tell
Mark to back off.”
I looked at her.
I felt nothing.
“Serena, let me ask you something.”
