“Your grandmother’s private inheritance, a down payment of sixty-five thousand dollars,” Evelyn said, stating the truth clearly and directly.

“Not one cent came from Mark, and not one cent came from his corporate account.”

I traced the faded blue ink on the cashier’s check receipt with my thumb, remembering how Mark had insisted on keeping all the house purchase papers locked in his corporate briefcase.

“He stood on our porch yesterday and told me I was financially dependent on him,” I said.

“He threatened to lock me out of my own home at five o’clock on Sunday.”