Vanessa had spent years assuming there would never be consequences.
“I already did.”
Three days after Christmas, Diane demanded a family meeting.
Naturally, she chose a private room inside an expensive restaurant.
That was exactly the kind of place she preferred whenever she wanted to intimidate someone.
By the time Ethan and I arrived, Diane was already sitting beside Vanessa.
Robert sat across from them looking exhausted.
Diane didn’t even greet us.
“Cancel the notice.”
“No,” I said.
Her expression tightened.
“I am Ethan’s mother.”
“And I am his wife.”
“That house belongs to this family!”
Robert finally spoke.
“No, Diane. It doesn’t.”
She turned sharply toward him.
“You knew?”
“I signed the documents three years ago.”
For once, Diane looked genuinely stunned.
“You allowed her to own my home?”
Her.
Never Claire.
Always her.
Robert rubbed his forehead.
“She saved the house.”
I placed the original purchase documents on the table.
