Evelyn materialized behind him like a ghost, clutching a silk robe at her throat. Her face was pale, stripped of her usual makeup, and it made her look frail and ancient.

“This is targeted harassment! This is illegal!”

“No, Evelyn,” I said, stepping past Daniel and crossing the threshold into my foyer. The marble felt solid and familiar beneath my heels. “Harassment was looking me in the eye and calling me barren in front of a dozen people.

Assault was your son striking me because his ego couldn’t survive a single laugh. Fraud was siphoning my private wealth to fund your delusions while telling society I contributed nothing.”

Daniel’s eyes darted back to the deputies. He raised his hands in a placating gesture. “Officers, please. This is a domestic misunderstanding. It was one slap.

A mistake. Emotions ran high.”