The nurse left reluctantly.
I looked down at the papers. Divorce petition. Custody agreement. Property waiver. A neat little execution, printed in twelve-point font.
“You want me to sign away the house?” I asked.
“Our house,” he corrected. “But not for long.”
My heart slowed.
That was the first mistake he made. He thought pain made me stupid.
I picked up the pen. Adrian’s smile widened.
Then I set it down.
“No.”
His expression hardened.
“Don’t be dramatic,” he snapped. “You have no job. No money. Three infants. My lawyers will bury you.”
I looked at Celeste, then at the bag, then back at him. “Is that what your lawyers told you?”
His jaw tightened.
I said nothing more. I only reached for my phone after they left and called my parents.
My mother answered on the first ring.
I heard my own voice break. “I chose wrong. You were right about him.”
There was silence.
Then my father’s calm voice came on. “Are the babies safe?”
“Yes.”
“Then cry tonight,” he said. “Tomorrow, we work.”
