“Don’t use the word payment with me,” I said quietly but sharply.
“I’m not a tenant. I’m her mother. And I supported you when you needed it.”
Emily pressed her lips together.
“Mom, don’t make a scene. The kids—”
“Don’t use the kids as a shield,” I interrupted.
Just then the door of the children’s room cracked open.
Little Ethan, still holding his dinosaur toy, peeked out.
“Grandma?” he whispered.
My heart softened instantly.
“It’s okay, sweetheart,” I said gently. “Go back to bed. Grandma just… has to take a little trip.”
Emily tried to sound reassuring.
“Everything’s fine, honey.”
But I saw the truth in her eyes.
She wasn’t worried about Ethan.
She was worried about losing control.
That confirmed I was doing the right thing.
I gathered my documents and carried them to my room.
I wasn’t going to empty the house while a child watched from the stairs.
But I also wasn’t going to surrender.
I slipped the house key into my purse, grabbed my car keys, and turned back to them at the door.
“I’m leaving tonight,” I said.
“And from this moment forward, all financial help stops.”
Emily opened her mouth to protest, but nothing came out.
Outside, the air smelled like wet grass.