Chapter 7 - THE FAMILY MEETING I REFUSED TO ATTEND
Diane Walker invited me to Sunday dinner.
I declined.
She called.
I didn't answer.
Then she sent a message.
Emma, families solve problems together. Running away isn't the answer.
I stared at it.
Then typed:
I agree that families should solve problems together. Unfortunately, Daniel made decisions about my money without me. My attorney is handling that now.
Diane replied within minutes.
You are destroying this family over money.
I put the phone down.
That afternoon, Richard called.
He sounded tired.
“Emma, I wanted to warn you.”
I sat up.
“About what?”
“Diane invited everyone over.”
I frowned.
“Why?”
“She wants to convince Daniel you're being unreasonable.”
I looked toward the window.
“And?”
Richard hesitated.
“I told her I wouldn't participate.”
That surprised me.
“Richard—”
He continued.
“I also told Daniel he needs to repay you.”
I swallowed.
“What did he say?”
Richard gave a humorless laugh.
“He said I was taking your side.”
I closed my eyes.
Richard continued.
“I told him there shouldn't be sides when someone asks for their own money back.”
That evening, Daniel appeared outside my apartment.
He didn't knock.
He simply stood near the entrance until I returned from the grocery store.
I stopped several feet away.
“Daniel.”
He looked exhausted.
“Can we talk?”
I kept my distance.
“About what?”
He glanced at the bags in my hands.
“Let me carry those.”
“No, thank you.”
His expression tightened.
“Emma, I know you're angry.”
I said nothing.
“I made a mistake.”
That was new.
I waited.
He continued.
“I should have told you about the money.”
“Yes.”
“And Mia moving in.”
“Yes.”
He swallowed.
“But you have to understand, she's had a hard life.”
I looked at him.
“Daniel, so have many people.”
He frowned.
“That's cold.”
“No. It's true.”
He rubbed his face.
“She's family.”
I nodded.
“I know.”
“She depends on me.”
“I know.”
He stared.
“Then why can't you accept that?”
I took a slow breath.
“Because you keep asking me to accept decisions you made without me.”
Daniel looked down.
For a moment, he seemed genuinely confused.
Then he whispered:
“I thought being married meant sharing everything.”
I looked at him.
“It does.”
He lifted his head.
I continued.
“But sharing requires both people to have a say.”
He said nothing.
I walked toward the building.
Then he called after me.
“Emma.”
I stopped.
His voice cracked.
“Do you really not want me anymore?”
I turned.
I looked at the man I'd once imagined growing old with.
And answered honestly.
“I wanted a future with you.”
His eyes filled.
“But you kept making that future without me.”
May you like
I went upstairs.
That night, I slept through until morning.
