Chapter 6
The next morning, I met with a lawyer named Nora Chen.
I gave her the deed, the refinance notice, Lisa's video, and photographs of my swollen cheek and bandaged hand.
She read everything without interrupting.
Then she said, "You have three separate problems."
"Only three?"
She almost smiled.
"The marriage. The property. And potential financial fraud."
I told her about Margaret's ledger.
Nora leaned back.
"Do not go searching through rooms on your own if you expect a criminal investigation. But as titled owner, you are entitled to protect the property."
"Can Margaret throw me out?"
"No."
"Can Daniel?"
"Not from property titled solely to you."
The answer should have felt powerful.
Instead, it made me tired.
For years Margaret had told me I was lucky to be invited to holidays there.
I had asked permission before changing a light fixture.
I had bought groceries for people who mocked the way I cooked them.
All inside a house I legally owned.
Nora filed for a temporary protection order based on the assault and arranged for a deputy to accompany me to collect personal belongings.
When I arrived that afternoon, Margaret was standing in the foyer.
"You brought police to Christmas?"
I almost admired the nerve.
"You brought assault to Christmas."
Daniel appeared behind her.
"Emily, please."
I walked past him.
Upstairs, my closet doors were open.
Half my clothes were already packed into cardboard boxes.
I stopped.
Daniel's face fell.
"I didn't do that."
Margaret called from the hallway, "She said she was leaving. I was helping."
The deputy looked at me.
"Ma'am, were these packed before last night?"
I checked one box.
At the bottom was a printed label.
EMILY - STORAGE UNIT B.
The date on the label was December 20.
Four days before the slap.
I turned toward Daniel.
May you like
"You were planning to remove me before Christmas."
His face said yes before his mouth did.
