“I let Megan convince me you were selfish, that your service was just running away, that this cabin was worthless. But last night, seeing those documents, hearing your father’s words, I realized he trusted you more than I ever did.”
Her eyes filled, and that broke me. I swallowed hard.
“You didn’t defend me when she humiliated me. You chose silence.”
Her tears spilled over.
“I know, and I can’t undo it. But I want to be better now, Hannah, if you’ll let me.”
For the first time in years, I saw not the stern matriarch, but a woman carrying her own regrets.
I nodded slowly.
“I’ll let you, but it won’t be easy.”
She nodded back.
“I don’t expect easy.”
The next day, Megan struck again, this time in person. She stormed onto the property without warning, heels sinking in the dirt, her voice carrying before she even reached the porch.
“You think you’ve won?” she shouted. “That article is trash. I’ll appeal. I’ll drag your name through every court until you choke on legal fees.”
I stepped outside, meeting her at the edge of the porch.
“You’re wasting your breath, Megan. The law isn’t on your side. The press isn’t on your side. Even Mom’s not on your side anymore.”
Her face twisted.