At 11:47, my doorbell camera alerted me.

Daniel’s SUV pulled into the driveway.

Vivian climbed out beside him wearing sunglasses and carrying one of her expensive suitcases.

“They think you came back to surrender,” Mara said.

On the security feed, Daniel smirked toward the front door.

Then he pounded on it.

“Claire! Open up! Mom and I are here to settle this.”

I stood in the hallway holding the blue folder, the signed order, and another envelope that had arrived from the bank.

“Ready?” Mara asked.

I opened the door.

Daniel’s smile vanished.

Then he saw the paper in my hand.

And froze.

Daniel stared at me as if he no longer knew who I was.

“What is that?” he asked.

I held up the signed protective order.

“This is the court telling you that you cannot enter my home.”

Vivian laughed.

“Your home?”

I opened the blue folder and handed Daniel the deed.

His eyes moved across the page.

Owner: Claire Mercer Holdings LLC.

His face went blank.

“No,” he whispered. “We bought this together.”