Chapter 6 - EVELYN SAYS IT WAS FAMILY
Evelyn requested a mediated meeting.
Claire agreed only with lawyers present.
They met in Maya’s office.
Beth did not come.
David did.
He looked exhausted.
Evelyn looked offended by exhaustion itself.
She began:
“I love Rose.”
Claire said nothing.
“I would never hurt her.”
“You hit her.”
“It was one slap.”
Claire’s face changed.
Maya touched her pen.
A warning.
Stay calm.
Claire did.
Evelyn continued.
“She was screaming.”
“She was terrified.”
“She needed to stop.”
“No.”
Claire’s voice remained low.
“You needed her to stop.”
Evelyn stared.
Different sentence.
Different responsibility.
Then Claire asked:
“Did you know about the postnup?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know David planned to use it to expand your rights in Rosewood?”
Evelyn folded her hands.
“I believed the family should have security.”
“Whose family?”
“All of us.”
Claire looked at David.
“Did you tell her she would get permanent occupancy?”
He looked down.
“Yes.”
“Without asking me?”
“Yes.”
“Did you think I’d agree?”
He whispered:
“Eventually.”
There it was again.
Claire as resource.
Claire as obstacle.
Claire as eventual yes.
She turned to Evelyn.
“You called it family.”
Evelyn nodded.
“Yes.”
Claire smiled sadly.
“Family is the word people use when they want access without permission.”
Evelyn’s mouth tightened.
“That’s cruel.”
Claire almost laughed.
“Cruel?”
She thought of Rose’s cheek.
May you like
Then stayed quiet.
Maya ended the meeting before rage became useless.
