My fingers curled inward one by one. Willard had already found Jolene a new place, while I, foolishly clinging to an empty shell he had long sold off, was still waiting for an explanation.
Jolene picked up a brochure. "Cynthia, look at this one. It's imported from Italy. It would look amazing in the entryway!"
I took a step back, avoiding the brochure she was offering me. "No, thanks. I've already made my choice. You two take your time."
That girl froze for a second, her eyes instantly welling up with tears as if she had been deeply wronged. "Do you ... not want me here? Then I'll just leave."
Willard grabbed Jolene's hand as he said, "Why are you leaving? This has nothing to do with her."
He turned and glared at me. "Cynthia, Jolene will be our family from now on. Can you please be more polite to her? Don't bring your outside attitude home!"
I was stunned. Family? What kind of family? How did I, the lady of the house, not know about this?
Then I thought about it. If Willard could sell our shared home without a second thought, why would he need my permission for anything else?