Chapter 6 - The House Changes
The court process continued for months.
During that time, Brenda remained in the house.
I didn't force her out.
Instead, we established a formal co-ownership arrangement.
Expenses were documented.
Repairs required approval.
No major financial decisions could be made without both owners agreeing.
It was exactly the boundary Brenda had spent years avoiding.
Then something strange happened.
The house improved.
Without constant emergency spending, the finances stabilized.
I hired an accountant.
We renegotiated the insurance.
The mortgage was refinanced.
The property became financially manageable.
Brenda hated every second of it.
But eventually, she admitted something.
“You were right about the money.”
I looked at her.
“I'm not interested in being right.”
“What are you interested in?”
“Emma being okay.”
She looked away.
“I shouldn't have shaved her hair.”
“No.”
“I was angry.”
“I know.”
“I thought if I embarrassed her, you'd back down.”
I stared at her.
“That was your mistake.”
She nodded.
For the first time, there was no argument.
May you like
Only regret.
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