After the divorce, we had temporarily used my mother’s address on some school and medical paperwork while arrangements were being sorted out.

It was an administrative detail.

It did not remove Lily from my life, change custody, or give someone the right to deal with my property.

But I recognized the language of a man discussing us as obstacles in a transaction.

Derek had asked many questions about the house.

Was it entirely mine?

Did Ethan still have an interest after the divorce?

How much was left on the mortgage?