PART 6

I didn’t cry.

I didn’t call Brittany.

I didn’t call Travis.

Instead, I called Kendra.

“It’s started.”

“What happened?”

“Press.”

She sighed.

“I was afraid of that.”

“Send the notice.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll file everything today.”

At eight thirty, the first legal notice went out.

At nine, Travis called.

I watched his name appear on my screen.

I didn’t answer.

He called again.

Then again.

Finally, he left a voicemail.

“Jocelyn, this is insane. Whatever you’re trying to prove, stop.”

I deleted it.

Twenty minutes later, Brittany called.

I answered.

“Mom?”

Her voice sounded different.

Less confident.

“What?”

“Dad says you sent him something.”

“I did.”

“What is it?”

“You should ask him.”

“He said you’re trying to take the house.”

“I’m not trying to take anything.”

“But it’s his house.”

“No.”

Silence.

“What do you mean?”

“The house belongs to Parker Holdings.”

“But Dad lives there.”

“Yes.”

“You bought it?”

“I bought it when you were eleven.”

There was a long pause.

“You never told me.”

“I didn’t want you to think your father couldn’t provide for you.”

Her breathing changed.

“So you lied to me?”

“I protected you from an adult problem.” You always do that.” “Maybe.”

Her voice hardened again.

“You can’t just take his house.”

“I’m not taking your father’s house.”

“You’re destroying my family.”

“No, Brittany.”

I swallowed.

“I’m finally allowing your father to take responsibility for his own family.”

She didn’t respond.

I continued.

“The property agreement gives him thirty days to leave or refinance the house under his own name.”

“You can’t.”

“I can.”

“Dad says you’re doing this because I rejected you.”

“I didn’t do it because you rejected me.”

“Then why now?”

I looked at the red folder sitting on my desk.

“Because you asked me not to be your mother anymore.”

She went quiet.

“I told you I would respect that.”

“You’re really going to abandon me?”

“No.”

My voice cracked for the first time.

“I’m going to stop rescuing you.”

The line went silent.

Then she whispered:

“I hate you.”

The words landed differently this time.

Not because they hurt less.

Because I finally understood I didn’t have to chase after them.

“I love you,” I said.

Then I hung up.

CONTINUE FOR NEXT PART….