“I am coming home,” I said.
He exhaled.
“Tomorrow. Noon. Have Vanessa there.”
The line went quiet.
AT 11:58 THE NEXT MORNING, I WALKED INTO MY HOUSE WITH MARA BESIDE ME.
Daniel was waiting in the living room. Lorraine sat stiffly on the sofa, while Vanessa stood near the fireplace wearing the diamond bracelet from the receipt.
Perfect.
Daniel hurried toward me. “Why is your lawyer here?”
“Because witnesses are useful.”
Lorraine scoffed. “Stop acting important.”
I placed the red folder on the coffee table.
“Daniel, you told me this was your house too. It isn’t. The deed is solely mine, acquired before our marriage. Mara has prepared formal notice that Lorraine’s temporary occupancy ends in thirty days, subject to local law.”
Lorraine shot upright. “You can’t throw me out!”
“Daniel can arrange housing for you. He wanted responsibility. Now he gets it.”
Daniel went pale. “Claire, don’t do this.”
