Rachel from a prepaid phone outside a public library.
I told her Ryan had never hit me, threatened my life, or physically prevented me from leaving.
Yet somehow, living independently felt as though it required his permission.
Rachel’s answer was simple.
“Financial control is still control.”
Over the next ten months, I preserved only information I was legally entitled to access.
Joint tax documents.
Household statements addressed to me.
Records left in shared spaces.
Messages.
Receipts.
Dates.
I never hacked accounts or stole passwords.
Rachel arranged for a forensic accountant
