Chapter 1 - TAKE THE HOUSE TOO
Diane Morgan already had the pickleball paddle in one hand when Leo crawled toward her shoes.
“Move.”
The one-year-old did not understand.
He reached for the bright edge of her sports bag.
Diane kicked him away.
Leo rolled onto the beige carpet and burst into tears.
“DISGUSTING! CONTROL YOUR OWN KIDS!”
Elena Morgan gasped.
Her wheelchair sat beside the brown sofa.
Her right leg was locked in a medical brace from hip to ankle after the crash.
She could transfer with help.
She could not stand safely alone.
But Leo was crying.
Elena pulled herself from the chair.
Pain shot through her leg.
She dropped to the carpet and crawled.
“Leo.”
She reached him.
Pulled him tightly against her chest.
Maya began crying beside the playpen.
Elena looked up at her mother.
“CAN’T YOU ACT LIKE THEIR GRANDMOTHER JUST ONCE?!”
Diane rolled her eyes.
“I’M NOT GIVING UP MY LIFE FOR YOUR CHILDREN.”
She turned toward the front door.
Pickleball paddle.
Sports bag.
Sneakers.
Ready for an afternoon tournament.
Elena watched her.
Something in her face went still.
She grabbed her phone.
Called Daniel Cho.
Her attorney.
“Daniel. Stop every payment.”
Diane paused.
Elena continued:
“Cards. Insurance. Club fees. Everything.”
Daniel’s voice came through the speaker.
“Including the house?”
Diane slowly turned around.
Her face changed.
Elena pulled Leo closer.
“Yes.”
Then:
“Take the house too.”
Diane’s paddle lowered.
“You can’t do that.”
Elena stared.
“Watch me.”
Diane laughed nervously.
“That house is mine.”
“No.”
Elena’s voice stayed calm.
“It’s the house I bought for you to live in.”
Silence.
Diane’s lips parted.
Elena continued:
“The car is mine too.”
Diane went pale.
“And the insurance?”
“Mine.”
“The club?”
“Mine.”
Diane’s eyes hardened.
“You ungrateful little—”
Daniel’s voice interrupted from the phone.
“Elena, do not argue. I’m sending the termination notices we discussed.”
Diane stared.
“Discussed?”
Elena looked at her mother.
The truth was worse than Diane knew.
Elena had already begun reviewing the money two weeks earlier.
May you like
She had not expected the child abuse.
She had expected only accounting.
