Chapter 6 - THEY CAME HOME TO SOMEONE ELSE’S HOUSE
Garrick returned from Cancún sunburned.
Eleanor returned smiling.
Neither smile lasted ten seconds.
I watched them through the security camera from my aunt’s guesthouse.
Garrick dragged his suitcase from the rideshare, walked up the front steps, and punched his code into the keypad.
Red light.
He tried again.
Red.
Eleanor shoved past him.
“What did you do?”
He rang the bell.
No one answered.
Then he saw the envelope taped inside the storm door.
Abigail had arranged the service personally.
NOTICE OF TEMPORARY EXCLUSIVE POSSESSION.
Below it sat another envelope.
PETITION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE.
Garrick called me immediately.
This time I answered.
“What is this?”
His voice shook.
“A divorce petition.”
“You changed the locks?”
“Yes.”
“This is my house!”
“No.”
He went silent.
I continued.
“It never was.”
Eleanor grabbed his phone.
“You manipulative little—”
“Careful,” I said.
“This call is being documented.”
She stopped.
I had never heard Eleanor stop herself before.
Garrick took the phone back.
“Clara, open the door.”
“I’m not there.”
“Where are you?”
“With Amelia.”
Another silence.
He hadn’t asked about her once.
Then his voice softened.
“Our daughter’s name is Amelia?”
Something in my chest hurt.
“Yes.”
“Can I see her?”
“Through our attorneys.”
He exhaled sharply.
“You’re punishing me.”
“No, Garrick. I’m protecting myself.”
“What happened to you?”
That question almost made me laugh.
“You left me at thirty-eight weeks pregnant and told me to call an ambulance.”
“That was five days ago.”
“Exactly.”
He looked toward the camera without realizing I could see him.
For the first time, Garrick looked afraid.
Then a black sedan pulled into the driveway.
A man in a gray suit stepped out carrying a folder.
He introduced himself as a representative of Garrick’s business lender.
Through the camera microphone, I heard every word.
“Mr. Sterling, we need to discuss several irregularities involving your dealership.”
Garrick froze.
Eleanor backed toward the porch.
But the representative wasn’t finished.
“Specifically, a $900,000 credit application secured by a property you do not own.”
Garrick slowly turned toward his mother.
May you like
And Eleanor whispered something the camera picked up perfectly.
“You told me she would never find out.”
