My Daughter Begged Me Not to Get Off the Bus—Minutes Later, My Boyfriend Sent a Photo of My Deed Beside a Contract I Had Never Signed

The next morning, Derek sent another message.

He wanted to meet at an office and settle everything like adults.

I forwarded it to Rachel before I replied.

“I don’t want to sit alone with him,” I said.

“You won’t,” she told me.

“And you do not have to attend.”

That distinction mattered.

I was not being asked to risk myself to earn the right to keep my home.