The first person through the front door was my attorney, Rachel Kim.
The second was a process server.
The third was a sheriff’s deputy.
Vivian stared at them as if I had summoned a firing squad.
Daniel whispered,
“Emma… what did you do?”
Rachel answered for me.
“She protected herself.”
The deputy approached Vivian.
“Ma’am, we received a report of an as:sa:ult at this residence.”
Her face twisted.
“This is a family disagreement.”
“No,” I said. “A disagreement is arguing over dinner. You shoved me onto a tile floor because I refused to give you access to my bank account.”
I lifted the hem of my dress just enough to show the swelling darkening both knees.
Patricia looked away.
Vivian pointed at me.
“She’s lying!”
Rachel calmly gestured toward the ceiling.
“Then you’ll be relieved to know the dining room security system recorded the incident.”
Vivian slowly looked up.
Daniel closed his eyes.
He had installed those cameras himself after a burglary two years earlier.
She had forgotten.
I had not.
The deputy asked Vivian to step aside.
She started shouting.
“She owes me! I gave her a family!”
I almost laughed.
Instead, I said,
“You gave me an invoice.”
Daniel came toward me.
“Emma, please. Let’s talk privately.”
Rachel stepped between us.
“Mr. Mercer, I recommend you contact counsel.”
His face collapsed.
“Counsel?”
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