“Much more!” Jessica gave a bitter laugh. “I want a divorce.”
Like the last nail in a coffin, the word hung in the air. Matt opened his lips, closed it again, trying to take it all in. “What? You’re not serious at all.”
“Oh, I am.” She spoke with such contempt in her voice. “I’ve spent enough years suffocating in this house, being made to feel like I don’t fit in, like I’m not good enough!” She waved her arm, pointing toward the home. “I need a fresh start.”
“You have no right—” I started, but a disdainful wave from her interrupted me.
“Oh, Hattie, save it. I was never meant to be a part of this family. You denigrated me from the beginning, making assumptions about me based only on the fact that I wasn’t raised in a wealthy family. I’m finally receiving what I deserve from you folks now, though.”
Matt’s expression changed from confusion to rage, his hands balled up. “Everything my family has said about you is true,” he uttered in a tremulous, low voice. “You really are a covetous witch.”
Jessica’s façade broke.
She angrily exclaimed, “And you’re a spineless mama’s boy!” “Always running to her defense, always putting her first.” She pointed a well-groomed finger at him with a sneer. It’s pitiful. You share her narrow-mindedness exactly.”
“Don’t you dare talk about my son that way!” More sharply than I had intended, my voice broke through the stillness.
“I’ll do whatever I want, Hattie.” With a smug smile, Jessica placed her hands on her hips. “And there’s nothing either of you can do about it.”
“Actually,” Jessica went on. “The two of you had best hurry and clear your stuff off MY lawn, before I call the cops and have them arrest you both.”
