Chapter 22
I thought Damon would rage.
I thought he would threaten.
He did.
But first, he looked afraid.
Not because my father had struck him.
Because my father was looking at him like a man counting debts.
“Richard,” Damon said, gripping the bars. “Open this door.”
My father did not move.
I stood beside him, one hand under my belly, the other clutching the torn edge of the blanket.
My knee throbbed.
My wrist burned where Damon’s fingers had dug in.
Lacey stepped outside.
“This is assault,” she snapped.
My father turned his head.
She stopped.
The robe slipped slightly off one shoulder.
My robe.
My bedroom.
My marriage.
All stolen while Damon told me I was the one without loyalty.
“Go change,” my father said.
Lacey blinked.
“You can’t order me around.”
“This is my daughter’s house.”
Damon laughed from the kennel.
“No, it isn’t.”
My father looked back at him.
That laugh died.
I turned slowly.
“What does he mean?”
Damon’s face shifted.
Lacey looked toward the door.
My father’s voice went quiet.
“Damon?”
Damon smiled now.
Not bravely.
Desperately.
“She didn’t tell you? I filed the transfer papers last month. This house is marital property. After the divorce, I get half.”
My heart sank.
“What divorce?”
Lacey smiled again.
“Oh, sweetheart.”
That one word made me want to vomit.
Damon gripped the bars.
“You were going to find out tomorrow. I was generous enough to let you stay until the baby came.”
My father turned to me.
“Did you sign anything?”
“No.”
Damon’s smile widened.
“She signed plenty. Prenatal trust, medical authority, property revisions. She never reads when she’s emotional.”
The patio blurred.
I remembered papers.
Damon saying they were insurance forms.
Damon saying my father had requested them.
Damon saying stress was bad for the baby.
My father’s jaw tightened.
“Lacey,” he said, “where are the documents?”
She lifted her chin.
“I don’t know.”
My father pulled out his phone.
“Then the police can help us look.”
Lacey’s face went pale.
Damon shouted, “Don’t call anyone!”
May you like
Too late.
My father was already dialing.
