*Petitioner further asserts that Respondent’s concealment of vast family trusts indicates a pattern of deceptive and manipulative behavior.*

I squeezed the paper, wrinkling the edges under my fingers.

“He is trying to turn my service into a weapon,” I said.

“The career I built while he was spending my money.”

“The court takes these kinds of allegations seriously, even if they are false,” Naomi warned.

“He filed this in a different county court, hoping they wouldn’t coordinate with our federal filings immediately.”

General Vale stepped closer to the bed, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

“I can provide character references, Tessa,” Vale said.

“The entire command structure will back you up.”

“That will help,” Naomi said.

“But we must disprove the financial allegations immediately.”

“If the judge believes you are hiding assets to manipulate the custody process, it looks bad.”

I looked down at the paper again.

A specific paragraph caught my eye.

*Respondent has repeatedly left the country on short notice, leaving the marital home unattended.*

Beside me, the digital recorder sat on the bedside table.