At Pier Nine, Alex had agreed to cooperate with federal investigators.
In exchange, they helped dismantle parts of Martin Vale's network.
But there was a problem.
A source inside the investigation kept leaking information.
Alex's family became vulnerable.
So he created the appearance of marital collapse.
Affairs.
Arguments.
Separation.
Eventually divorce.
He made the world believe I hated him.
That Sophie hated him.
That we had no relationship.
He thought distance would protect us.
My anger was so intense I could barely speak.
“You sacrificed our family without asking.”
“Yes.”
“You let your daughter believe you abandoned her.”
His voice broke.
“Yes.”
“You let me hate you.”
A tear rolled down his face.
“Yes.”
I slapped him.
The sound cracked through the basement.
Nobody moved.
Then I slapped him again.
Alex didn't stop me.
“You don't get to decide what pain I'm allowed to survive.”
“I know.”
“You don't get to call destroying us protection.”
