Chapter 17 - Brian finds Melissa’s spreadsheet
Brian called after his no-contact restriction expired through lawyer-approved channel.
“Dad.”
“What?”
“I found something.”
He sent a spreadsheet.
Melissa’s personal household planning file.
Column:
Walter Contribution
Another:
Actual Household Cost
Another:
Surplus
Surplus?
Some months my payment exceeded the expenses allocated to me even under Melissa’s own internal assumptions.
Where did surplus go?
Transfers to:
Melissa personal savings.
Brian credit-card payoff.
Vacation fund.
Restaurant spending.
Not enormous.
Cumulative:
About $17,600 over eighteen months.
Brian said:
“I didn’t know.”
“Did you benefit?”
“Yes.”
Important distinction.
Then:
“Why send me this?”
“Because she told me there was never any surplus.”
Their marriage began breaking along the same crack.
May you like
I took no pleasure in it.
Mostly.
