My heart twisted violently.
I crouched and pulled my boy tight into my arms.
My mother, hearing him, quickly set aside her knitting and hurried into the bathroom. She came back with a half-damp towel and pressed it into my hands.
“Didn’t you go to dinner with Daniel? How did you end up like this?”
Grief weighed heavy, but I forced a smile. “I slipped on the way back.”
After I’d cleaned myself up, she drew me aside and whispered, “What are Daniel’s plans for Mr. Carter’s case?”
Remembering his words before storming off, I hesitated.
“He… he said he’d sue.”
“A lawsuit, then. That’s good. We need to give Mr. Carter an explanation.”
My mother nodded, pulled a bank card from her pocket, and pressed it into my hand.
“This is the little money your dad and I have saved all these years. You’ll need plenty for this. Take it now. If you run into trouble, tell us.”
“Mom, I’ll head home first. Your dad’s waiting for me to cook dinner.”
She patted my hand, turned, and walked out.
I chased her to the door, card in hand, but it slammed shut, trapping me inside.
The bank card in my hand felt like fire, searing every nerve in my body.
I want a divorce!