Richard turned toward me before the bailiff approached.
“I did it because I couldn’t bear to lose you.”
“You lost me when you decided the truth belonged only to you.”
His mouth tightened.
“One day, Lily will understand that I protected her.”
Lily stood.
“No, Dad.
You protected yourself.”
Richard looked at her as if waiting for her to take it back.
She didn’t.
The bailiff led him through the side door.
At the final divorce hearing, the false house loan was voided.
The judge awarded me the house, restored the missing funds, and ordered Richard’s remaining assets used to pay Elaine’s care expenses and my legal fees.
The judge looked over the papers.
“Mrs.
Mercer, do you understand that this decree ends your marriage?”
“Yes.”
“Is this what you want?”
I glanced at Lily.
She squeezed my hand.
“Yes,” I said again.
Outside the courthouse, Daniel waited with a small box.
