Chapter 8 - The Settlement
Graham looked at the papers in front of him. "You're taking the Highland Park house. You're foreclosing on my mother’s home. You're ruining us, Jocelyn."
"I’m not ruining you, Graham," I said. "I’m just stopping the charity. Your mother’s home is being foreclosed because she hasn't made a mortgage payment in three years. She expected you to pay it, and you expected me to pay it. I simply stopped signing the checks."
"She’s an old woman!" he yelled, his voice cracking.
"And she’s the woman who took plates away from my five-year-old child because she didn't give birth to a son," I replied, my voice dropping into a register that made Graham flinch. "She wanted your daughters to learn where they belong. Now, she’s going to learn where she belongs. In a rented apartment she can actually afford."
Graham sank back into his chair, the reality of his situation finally crushing him. "What about me? I have nothing. My business is gone. My reputation is ruined."
"You have your Ralston name, Graham," I said, standing up and smoothing my skirt. "And you have your tradition. Let’s see how much those are worth in the real world."
Sarah handed him the final settlement offer. "Sign the custody agreement, Mr. Ralston. If you do, Mrs. Vance will agree to waive the collection on the personal loans she advanced your firm. If you don't, we will file for corporate bankruptcy on your behalf by Friday, and you will be facing federal fraud charges for the shell company transactions."
May you like
Graham’s hand shook as he took the pen. He looked at me, his eyes pleading for a shred of the quiet, submissive woman he had married ten years ago.
But that woman had never existed. She was just a mask I had worn to protect my children. And now, the mask was gone.
