Yes.
“Copies of his tax returns?”
Yes.
The room went silent.
I had never authorized Rebecca to share any of that.
Within a month, the lender confirmed an account had been opened in my name without my permission.
The case was referred to investigators.
I wish everything had ended quickly after that.
It didn’t.
Real investigations rarely move like television.
There were interviews.
Statements.
Requests for records.
Calls from attorneys.
Emily had to repeat what happened to her more times than she wanted.
I answered embarrassing questions about my finances because every answer reminded me how much access I had casually given Rebecca.
Then investigators discovered something none of us expected.
Rebecca had apparently done something similar before.
Her second ex-husband, Thomas Greene, lived in Phoenix.
He had never pursued criminal charges because, during their divorce, he believed proving the financial misconduct would cost more than simply leaving.
When investigators contacted him, he agreed to cooperate.
Three months after my canceled wedding, Thomas called me.
We spoke for nearly an hour.
“She makes you feel cruel for questioning her,” he said.
“Yes.”
“And she never asks for everything at once.”
“No.”
“She takes one small piece at a time.”
That described Rebecca perfectly.
Thomas said she had persuaded him to merge savings, refinance property, and add her to several accounts.
By the time he realized how much control she had gained, more than $80,000 had disappeared into debts and transfers he claimed he never approved.
He recovered very little.
“Why didn’t you warn anyone?” I asked.
“Who?”
I had no answer.
“Her next boyfriend?” he continued. “Her next husband? I didn’t know who they were.”
He was right.
Four months after the wedding that never happened, Rebecca was charged in connection with the unauthorized financial application and the incident involving Emily.
The case moved slowly.
There were negotiations.
Rebecca initially pleaded not guilty.
Emily prepared herself for trial.
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