Jessica took Tony’s phone before he could unlock it.

She held it above his head while he reached for it.

“You recorded private conversations?”

“You told me Aunt Althia was taking our money.”

“She is!”

“No,” Tony shouted.

“She paid for everything!”

Michael moved between them.

“Jessica, give him the phone.”

She dropped it into her purse.

“He’s twelve.

Nothing on it means anything.”

Naomi held out her hand.

“Then you won’t mind preserving it.”

“You’re not taking my son’s property.”

“We’ll obtain it properly,” Naomi said.

“Althia, we’re leaving.”

My phone began vibrating before we reached the elevator.

Jessica had posted a long public message claiming I had emptied the family accounts, abandoned my pregnant husband, and threatened Tony’s education.

Michael called ten minutes later.

“Tell Naomi to stop contacting the bank.”

“Tell Jessica to remove that post.”

“She’s upset.”

“So am I.

I didn’t publish a lie.”

“You froze the household account.”

“I froze what was left of my money.”

The next morning, a courier arrived at my parents’ house.

Naomi read the papers at the kitchen table.

“Michael has filed an emergency motion,” she said.

“He claims you’re hiding marital assets and financially punishing his family.”

Peter’s palm landed on the table.

“She supported them.”

Naomi turned another page.

“He wants temporary control of the joint accounts and access to the investment portfolio.”

“My portfolio predates the marriage.”

“He knows that.

He’s trying to frighten you into settling.”

The bank restricted two accounts until ownership could be reviewed.

That afternoon, Michael asked to meet at Naomi’s office.

He sat across from me and slid a document over the table.

“Resume Tony’s tuition, release the household funds, and ratify the mortgage,” he said.

“I’ll withdraw the motion.”

“And if I refuse?”

“I’ll ask the court to consider your behavior when the baby is born.”

My hand moved over my stomach.

Naomi leaned forward.

“Are you threatening a pregnant woman with a custody fight unless she accepts a forged mortgage?”

“I’m protecting my child.”

“You didn’t ask whether your child was healthy,” I said.

Michael looked down.

“You walked out.”

“After you asked for a divorce.”

“My family was under pressure.”

“I was your family.”

His face tightened.

“You always had money.

Jessica had nothing.”

“She had my money and called me useless while spending it.”

Michael pushed the agreement closer.

“Sign it, or this gets ugly.”

Naomi returned it without letting me touch it.

“It already is.”

Her assistant entered carrying a printed email.

Naomi read it, then turned the page toward me.

“The lender recovered security footage from the closing office.”

The image showed a woman in sunglasses, my blue coat, and a scarf covering most of her hair.

Michael leaned back.

“You can’t prove that isn’t Althia.”

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