Chapter 5
A week later, I had to go back to work.
My boss had been understanding, but we had a big project due, and I couldn’t stay home forever.
I was a nervous wreck the whole drive to the office.
I checked the security app on my phone every five minutes, watching the live feeds from the cameras around the house.
I texted Lena every hour, making sure everything was okay.
She texted back every time, reassuring me they were fine, that no one had come near the house.
At lunch, I got a call from an unknown number.
I hesitated, then answered.
It was Margaret’s lawyer.
A slick, smooth-talking man who introduced himself as Mr. Henderson.
“Good afternoon, sir,” he said.
“I’m calling regarding the case against my client, Margaret Carter. We’d like to propose a plea deal. One that would benefit everyone involved, and avoid a long, messy public trial.”
I leaned back in my office chair, my jaw tight.
“What kind of deal?” I asked.
“Simple,” he said.
“My client will plead guilty to a single misdemeanor assault charge. She’ll pay a small fine, attend six weeks of anger management classes, and agree to a one-year civil restraining order. No felony record. No jail time. In exchange, you and the other witnesses agree not to testify at trial, and you drop all civil claims against her.”
I laughed.
A cold, bitter sound.
“A misdemeanor? One year? She tried to drug my wife and steal our house! She assaulted two women! And you want to give her a slap on the wrist?”
“Let’s be realistic, sir,” he said, his tone turning cold.
“Without a full confession, the case is weaker than you think. It’s three people’s word against my client’s. A jury might believe you. They might not. And if they don’t? She walks away completely free. No record, no consequences. This way, you get something. She takes some responsibility. Everyone moves on with their lives.”
“Move on?” I said.
My voice was rising.
“My wife has nightmares every night! She’s scared to be alone in her own home! Lena has a permanent scar on her jaw from that slap! And you want us to just ‘move on’? Not a chance. We’re going to trial. And we’re going to prove exactly what she did. Tell your client to get ready to see the inside of a courtroom.”
I hung up before he could say anything else.
I threw my phone on my desk, my hands shaking with anger.
They thought they could buy us off.
They thought we’d take the easy way out.
They had no idea who they were dealing with.
I left work early that day.
I needed to see Ava, to hold her, to remind myself why we were fighting this.
When I pulled into the driveway, I saw a car parked on the street a few houses down.
An old sedan I didn’t recognize.
My heart stopped.
I grabbed my phone, ready to call the police, when the driver’s door opened.
Margaret got out.
She was wearing a plain dress, no makeup, her hair messy.
She looked like she’d been crying.
She started walking toward our house.
I jumped out of my car, slamming the door hard.
“Stop!” I yelled.
I ran toward her, blocking her path before she could get to the front gate.
“You’re violating the restraining order! Get off my street before I call the cops!”
She held up her hands, tears streaming down her face.
“Wait! Please, just hear me out!” she cried.
“I’m not here to hurt anyone! I just want to talk! To apologize!”
I stared at her.
For a second, I almost believed her.
She looked so small, so broken.
Then I remembered the look on her face as she stood over Ava.
The coldness in her eyes.
The lies she’d already told.
“Apologize?” I said.
“Where was this apology when you were slapping Lena? When you were forcing that juice down Ava’s throat? When you were forging papers to steal our home? You don’t get to apologize now. It’s too late.”
“I made a mistake!” she sobbed.
“I was wrong! I was stupid! I let my greed get the better of me! I’ve been so miserable these past weeks, knowing I hurt you, knowing I ruined everything! You’re my son! My only child! I can’t lose you!”
She reached out to touch my arm.
I stepped back like she’d burned me.
“You lost me the second you chose money over me,” I said.
My voice was steady, but my chest ached.
This was my mother.
The woman who’d raised me.
And I was telling her I didn’t want her in my life anymore.
It hurt more than I can say.
But it was the right thing to do.
“Ava is my life. She’s my whole world. And you tried to destroy her. To destroy us. I will never forgive you for that. Never.”
Her face hardened.
The tears stopped as if someone had flipped a switch.
The mask came off again.
“Fine,” she said, her voice cold.
“If that’s how you want it. You think you can win in court? You think anyone’s going to believe a cripple and a gold-digging helper over me? I’ll destroy you both. I’ll tell everyone what a terrible son you are. How you abandoned your own mother for a woman who can’t even give you children. You’ll regret this. I swear to God, you’ll regret crossing me.”
She turned and stormed back to her car.
She peeled out of the street, tires screeching.
I stood there for a long time, watching her car disappear around the corner.
My heart was pounding, my hands were shaking.
But I didn’t feel scared anymore.
I felt angry.
Determined.
She wanted a war?
Fine.
I’d give her one.
And I was going to make sure she lost everything.
I walked into the house, forcing a smile on my face.
Ava and Lena were in the living room, folding laundry.
They looked up when I came in.
“Everything okay?” Ava asked, frowning.
She could always tell when something was wrong.
I walked over and knelt in front of her, taking her hands.
“Everything’s perfect,” I said.
I meant it.
I had her.
I had Lena.
I had everything that mattered.
And no matter what Margaret did, she could never take that away.
“Your lawyer called. Offered a terrible deal. We turned it down. And your mom was just outside. I told her to go to hell. It’s over. We’re going to trial. And we’re going to win.”
Ava smiled.
A small, brave smile.
She squeezed my hands.
May you like
“Together?” she said.
“Together,” I promised.
