“Did she?” I looked at my mother, who fluttered nervously.
Derek stepped closer, his voice dropping. “Can we step outside and talk?”
“No.”
Valerie adjusted the baby, terrified. “Claire, please. Not in front of the baby.”
“You’re right,” I said calmly. “He didn’t choose this.” I looked directly into Valerie’s eyes. “But you did.”
Derek’s expression darkened. “Claire, stop this right now.”
I pulled my phone from my purse, set it to record, and placed it on the glass coffee table. Then, I pulled out a thick manila folder.
“What is that?” Valerie whispered.
“The reason I’m not screaming,” I replied.
Derek tried to force a laugh. “This is ridiculous.”
“No,” I countered. “Ridiculous was telling me you were stuck in traffic while standing in the hospital hallway, telling my sister that I only existed to fund your lies.”
My mother gasped loudly. Derek’s face collapsed. Valerie started crying on cue. “Claire, I never wanted to hurt you!”
I slammed the papers onto the coffee table. Bank records. Prenatal invoices. Screenshots. And finally, the digital signature report.
Derek lunged for the documents. I slammed my hand down flat over them.
“Touch them,” I hissed, “and I call Lauren in right now.”
As if on cue, the apartment door swung open. Lauren entered, radiating corporate menace, followed by Paige and the notary.
“Mr. Davis,” Lauren said smoothly. “I am Claire’s attorney. I suggest you stop speaking unless you want to make the police’s morning easier.”
My mother found her shrill voice. “This is a family matter! You have no right to invade my daughter’s home!”
Lauren smiled slightly. “Which daughter?”
Paige opened her laptop and recited the financial trail. Funds siphoned. My salary covering his debt. Then Lauren placed one final document on the pile.
A notice of divorce filing.
“You filed?” Derek stared, horrified. “Claire, don’t do this here!”
“Where else?” I asked. “At the home you built with my money for my sister?”
My mother marched up to me, her face contorted with rage. “You’re punishing an innocent newborn!”
“No. I am protecting myself from his vile parents.”
My mother slapped me.
The sound cracked like a whip. My left cheek burned. I didn’t flinch. I looked at Lauren.
“Add that to the record.”
