“Sydney manipulated me.”

“You weren’t confused when you signed the disclosure.” He fell silent. “Can you help me with the debt?”

“No.”

“You have the money.” That sentence removed every remaining doubt. I ended the call and blocked his number.

Terrence’s independent testing confirmed Jason was the biological father of Sydney’s child. The divorce proceeded through private mediation. Terrence kept the condo, which he’d bought before the marriage and held separately, though he still gave Sydney reasonable time to find new housing.

He showed far more grace than my family deserved.