Chapter 4: A New Threat
"About what?" Daniel said.
"About the house.
About whether that deed is valid.
About whether a property purchased during a marriage can be held solely in one person's name without the other's consent."
Daniel looked at me.
I kept my face still.
"She bought that house before we were married," Daniel said.
"You know that."
"I know what she told you."
"Mom—"
"I'm not finished." Her voice had shifted.
Calmer.
More deliberate.
"I also spoke to your father's accountant.
The one who handled the money your father left you.
The money you used for the down payment on that house."
The room went very quiet.
"That money," Diane said, "was a gift from your father to you.
Not to her.
Which means it may have contributed to an asset that she now holds entirely in her name.
My solicitor believes there's an argument to be made."
Daniel stood up from the table.
"Are you threatening to take our home?" he said.
"Three days after your granddaughter was born?"
"I'm protecting what belongs to this family."
"We are your family."
"She," Diane said, "is not."
Daniel ended the call.
He stood at the kitchen window with his back to me.
Our daughter was asleep in the next room.
The baby monitor on the counter made its soft static sound.
"Daniel," I said.
"I know."
"She's not going to stop."
He turned around.
May you like
"I know that too."
---
