Chapter 14
The divorce hearing came before the criminal trial.
Lily wore a blue dress and a cardigan with sleeves long enough to cover the last fading marks.
She did not have to testify in open court.
The judge agreed to meet with her privately, with Dr. Ross present.
Richard objected.
The judge denied him.
Eleanor sat behind him, stiff and furious.
I sat with Olivia.
My daughter walked into the judge’s chambers without looking back.
I had never been prouder or more afraid.
Thirty minutes later, she came out.
Her face was pale.
But she was standing.
She came straight to me.
“Can we go after?”
“Yes.”
Richard tried to catch her eye.
She turned her face into my coat.
The judge returned.
Her ruling was clear.
Protective order extended.
Divorce proceedings accelerated.
Richard barred from all marital assets except through court.
Lily granted exclusive possession of her personal property and inheritance from her grandmother.
That last part made Eleanor flinch.
I noticed.
Olivia noticed too.
After court, Olivia explained.
Lily’s grandmother, my late wife Anna, had left money in trust for Lily when she turned thirty.
Richard had been trying to gain control through marriage and psychiatric guardianship.
My blood went cold.
“So this was about money too.”
Olivia nodded.
“Control first. Money always follows.”
Lily heard enough.
“Grandma Anna’s money?”
“Yes,” I said.
“She left it for me?”
“Yes.”
“Richard wanted it?”
I knelt.
“He wanted many things that were not his.”
She looked toward the courthouse doors.
“I want to use some for the other women.”
Olivia’s eyes softened.
“You do not have to decide that now.”
“I know.”
Lily lifted her chin.
“But if people helped me, I want to help too.”
Eleanor passed us then.
Her voice was low.
“You ungrateful girl.”
Lily flinched.
Then she stepped forward.
“I’m grateful to everyone who saved me. That doesn’t include you.”
Eleanor stared.
May you like
My daughter walked past her.
And I followed, carrying more pride than rage for the first time.
