Chapter 2
Robert did not shout at first.
That was how I knew he was truly frightened.
He opened the door slowly, still holding the deed papers in one hand. The county officer stepped inside, polite but firm. Mr. Bellamy’s associate handed Robert the notice and explained that his right to occupy the property had been revoked by the sole owner of the residence.
Me.
Robert laughed once.
“This is absurd. I am Robert Sterling.”
The officer’s face did not change.
“Yes, sir. Your name is on the notice.”
Matthew stood beside me, small and silent, his dinosaur backpack strap twisted in his fingers.
Robert saw him watching and made his final mistake.
“This is what your mother is choosing,” he said to my son. “Chaos. Poverty. Embarrassment. All because she cannot discipline you.”
Matthew flinched.
I stepped forward.
“No. That is the last sentence you will ever aim at my child in this house.”
Robert’s eyes narrowed.
“You’ll come crawling back.”
“No,” I said. “I already crawled enough during this marriage. I’m standing now.”
The locksmith changed the front lock while Robert’s suitcases were carried onto the porch.
Every turn of the drill sounded like a chain breaking.
Robert stood there in his tailored coat, holding the notice with shaking hands, his power leaking out of him inch by inch.
Then Mr. Bellamy arrived.
He was old, thin, silver-haired, and leaning on a cane, but his eyes were sharper than any man Robert had ever intimidated.
“Mr. Sterling,” he said. “I advised Claire’s father for thirty-seven years. He protected this house from men exactly like you.”
Robert’s face went pale.
Mr. Bellamy turned to me.
“Claire, dear, shall we proceed with the second folder?”
Robert looked at me.
“What second folder?”
I held Matthew’s hand tighter.
May you like
“The divorce petition,” I said. “And the financial review.”
For the first time that night, Robert said nothing.
