“Pack your bags, Claire.

This house is mine anyway.”

“We bought this house together six years ago,” I said, keeping my voice clear and level.

Mark gave a short, dry laugh that ended almost at once.

“On my corporate salary,” Mark said.

“You work retail shifts three mornings a week for coffee money.”

Vanessa picked up a small ceramic bowl from the side table, turned it over to look at the base, and set it back down with a sharp click.

“Is this wall color called sage?” Vanessa asked, glancing over her shoulder at the window trim.