She didn’t participate in the hearing, but somehow she managed to make the day about herself.
When Ryan emerged from the courtroom, she embraced him dramatically.
“You’re finally free,” she announced.
I kept walking.
There was nothing left to say.
Outside the courthouse, I sat in my car holding the final paperwork.
I thought about my parents.
My mother would have been proud that I’d protected my independence.
My father would have reminded me that surviving something wasn’t the same as losing.
For the first time in months, I allowed myself to imagine a peaceful life.
Morning coffee in my kitchen.
Flowers in the garden.
No Patricia arriving uninvited.
No Ryan telling me to compromise.
Just my home.
My life.
My choices.
Then my phone buzzed.
MOTION DETECTED — FRONT GATE.
I opened the security application.
Two white moving trucks were parked outside my mansion.
Patricia stood at the entrance, directing workers with an authoritative sweep of her hand.
Vanessa had her phone raised.
Brandon was entering numbers into the security keypad.
I watched him try three combinations.
Then four.
Then five.
UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS ATTEMPT.
My pulse quickened.
A moment later, a text arrived from Ryan.
