They had mistaken my independence for loneliness.
Most of all, they had mistaken my love for my family as permission to destroy my future.
The judge scheduled further proceedings and warned everyone involved not to interfere with the investigation.
As we left the courtroom, my father called after me.
“Claire! You are destroying this family over a piece of property!”
I stopped.
Nora touched my arm, silently reminding me that I didn’t owe him another conversation.
But I turned anyway.
“No, Dad. You destroyed this family when you decided my son and I were worth less than Melanie’s mortgage.”
His face twisted with anger.
Then I walked away.
The next several weeks were difficult.
The county investigation uncovered evidence that the deed had been prepared using information taken from my old divorce documents.
The notary who had accompanied my parents eventually cooperated with investigators. She explained that my father had presented the paperwork as a transaction I had already approved and told her the missing details would be completed later.
