“Tell your wife not to be so tight-fisted, Derek,” Suzanne’s voice echoed through the room. “If she gets to live in her little apartment, it’s because you grace it with your presence.

She can lend me the card—it’s not like she even has kids.”

Derek lunged to snatch the phone from Skylar’s hand, but the officer moved quickly.

“Don’t touch her, sir,” the officer ordered, stepping between them.

Skylar took a deep breath. For the first time in years, Derek had to back down when someone ordered him to.

Suzanne gestured angrily at the cardboard boxes.