Chapter 25 - NATHAN TESTIFIES ABOUT BOTH WOMEN
Nathan testified in Diana’s case because motive mattered to the assault context and because his messages authenticated parts of the timeline.
He did not protect his mother with another lie.
That mattered.
“Did Diana know you were having an affair?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“She knew there had been more than one kiss about four weeks before Elise’s birthday.”
“Did she tell Elise?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I asked her not to.”
“Did Diana agree?”
“Yes.”
“Did she help you meet Maren at the club?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I told Mom Maren was threatening to tell Elise during the party.”
“Was she threatening violence?”
“No.”
“Money?”
“No.”
“What did she threaten?”
“The truth.”
There.
Then:
“Did you intend to end the affair in Suite Two?”
“Yes.”
“Did you?”
“Yes.”
“Did you kiss Maren?”
Nathan closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
“Did she kiss you first?”
“Yes.”
“Did you kiss back?”
“Yes.”
The red mark no longer needed symbolism.
Then defense asked:
“Did your mother tell you to kiss Maren?”
“No.”
“Continue affair?”
“No.”
“Hide it?”
Nathan looked at Diana.
“Yes.”
There.
Then:
“Why?”
“Because we both thought if Elise learned everything before the baby was born, she would leave.”
“Was that your decision?”
“To hide it?”
“Yes.”
“Was leaving Elise’s decision?”
Nathan looked toward me.
“Yes.”
Finally.
Then the divorce financial issue.
Separate hearing weeks later.
Marital spending:
Hotels.
Meals.
Bracelet.
Some disputed.
Records narrowed the amount.
No estate collapse.
No business fraud.
The court credited me with my share of proven dissipated marital funds in property division.
Nathan kept his lawful Croft interests.
I kept mine.
The marital home was sold.
May you like
Neither of us got everything.
That was what adult endings looked like when lawyers did not confuse heartbreak with confiscation.
