I considered reminding her that this was my home too.

Instead, I asked what time dinner would be served.

“Six.”

“Thank you.

I’ll be ready.”

In private I contacted Stephen and Elise.

I didn’t ask either of them to stage a performance.

I wanted to know what formal documents we could share, what should remain confidential, and whether there were any risks in having both attorneys present while Mark and his family discussed my departure.