But Lily tugged on my sleeve, looking up with big eyes.
“Aunt Grace, you didn’t do anything wrong. Uncle Daniel was just being mean.”
Tears spilled from my eyes—not from pain anymore, but from the overwhelming protectiveness I felt for the little girl who had saved me.
The judge adjourned the hearing to allow new filings. Daniel tried to approach me, but my sister stepped in.
“Don’t you dare,” she hissed. “You destroyed your own marriage.”
Daniel looked at me then. Truly looked. Panic flickered across his face.
“Grace, please. Let’s talk privately. We can fix this.”
I shook my head. “You already fixed it—with her. And with your plan to ruin me.”
He closed his eyes. “I didn’t mean—”
“You meant every word,” I said quietly. “You said I was pathetic? That I’d sign anything?” I straightened my shoulders. “Watch me not sign this.”
