For the first time, she acknowledged allowing Bianca into the house.

She claimed Gavin had assured her our marriage was over and that she had been attempting to preserve stability while the company faced trouble.

What she did not acknowledge was that she had seen me pregnant, spoken with me about the nursery, and been told directly that no separation had occurred.

I wrote a reply with Lauren’s help.

It said I would not discuss finances or the divorce privately, but I was open to considering appropriate future contact with Willa if Judith respected boundaries and acted in her granddaughter’s interests.

It was neither a threat nor an invitation to return to the old arrangement.