Part 2 of 3

Kelsey walked into the foyer and looked around appreciatively.

“I’d forgotten how beautiful this place is.”

She glanced toward the staircase.

“Blake mentioned the guest suite. I was thinking we could move the desk out and put the crib near the window.”

I smiled.

“You certainly seem to have everything planned.”

“Well, six months is a long time with a newborn.”

Blake carried the final suitcase inside.

“Mallory, could you show Kelsey upstairs? I’ll bring in the crib.”

Before I could answer, Kelsey added, “Oh, and I hope you don’t mind helping with the nighttime feedings occasionally. Blake says you’re usually awake late anyway.”

I looked at my husband.

He suddenly became interested in adjusting the suitcase handle.

“Blake told you that?”

“Of course. He said you’d be happy to help.”

I had spent years making excuses for Blake’s behavior.

Standing in my own foyer, listening to another woman describe the responsibilities he had assigned me, I realized how much of myself I had been giving away.

Then the doorbell rang.

I glanced at the clock.

Four thirty.

Exactly as planned.

The Visitors Nobody Expected

“That must be our company,” I said.

Blake frowned.

“What company?”

I walked to the front door and opened it.

Meredith stood on the porch, holding a leather document folder.

Beside her was a professional process server, and a few steps behind them stood Kelsey’s mother, Denise Monroe.

I stepped aside.

“Perfect timing. Please come in.”

Kelsey’s smile disappeared.

“Mom?”

Denise looked at the suitcases scattered across the foyer.

“Kelsey, what exactly is going on?”

Blake stepped forward.

“Mallory, why is your attorney here?”

“Because we have several important matters to discuss, and I thought everyone should hear the same information.”

Meredith introduced herself and explained that she represented me.

Blake’s expression changed.

“This is completely unnecessary.”

“I disagree,” I answered.

We moved into the living room while Kelsey settled her sleeping baby in the portable carrier.

Meredith placed a copy of the property deed on the coffee table.

“First, I want to clarify that this property is owned solely by Mallory. Kelsey has not been granted permission by the owner to establish a residence here.”

Kelsey turned toward Blake.

“You told me this was your house.”

“It is our home,” he replied.

“It has been our marital home,” I corrected gently. “But I purchased it before we married, and the title remains in my name.”

Blake’s face reddened.

“You’re embarrassing me in front of everyone.”

“I’m explaining facts that should have been discussed before you invited someone to move in.”

Meredith opened another folder.

Inside were copies of the financial transfers.

“We also need to address money transferred from the Winslows’ joint savings account to a business account associated with Ms. Monroe.”

Kelsey stared at the documents.

“What money?”

Meredith showed her the records.

“Approximately seventy-two thousand dollars in documented transfers.”

Kelsey looked at Blake.

“You said that money was from your personal investments.”

Blake said nothing.

Denise slowly lowered herself onto the sofa.

“Kelsey, please tell me you knew where that money came from.”

Her daughter shook her head.

“He told me he was helping me start over.”

For several seconds, nobody spoke.

Then Meredith placed the credit applications beside the bank statements.

“There are also credit accounts opened using Mallory’s information without her authorization. Those matters are being formally disputed.”

Blake looked at me with an expression I had never seen before.

For once, he had no easy explanation.

The Truth Behind Their Arrangement

Kelsey began crying quietly.

Her baby stirred, and she immediately reached down to comfort him.

I watched her carefully.

I had expected arrogance, perhaps even an argument.

Instead, she looked frightened and confused.

“Blake told me you two were practically separated,” she said.

I stared at her.

“We’ve been living together as husband and wife.”

She turned toward him.

“You said Mallory wanted separate lives and that the guest suite was available because she didn’t care what you did anymore.”

Blake rubbed his forehead.

“Kelsey, that’s not exactly what I said.”

“Then what did you say?”

He remained silent.

Denise looked between them.

“And where is the baby’s father in all this?”

Kelsey hesitated.

“His name is Patrick. He lives in Cincinnati. We’re not together anymore.”

That answer surprised me.

I had wondered whether Blake might be the baby’s father, but I had no evidence to support that suspicion.

Kelsey explained that Blake had offered financial help after she separated from Patrick.

He had promised her a comfortable place to stay and assured her that I had agreed.

I could see that she had believed at least some of his promises.

Still, she had never once contacted me to confirm them.

“Kelsey,” I said quietly, “you knew I was married to him. You knew this was my home. Why didn’t you ask me directly?”

She looked down.

“Because I was afraid you’d say no.”

Her answer was painfully simple.

Denise stood.

“Then you should have accepted that possibility instead of making plans behind her back.”

Blake finally spoke.

“I was trying to help someone who needed support.”

I looked at him.

“Helping someone doesn’t require hiding financial transfers, making promises on another person’s behalf, or expecting your wife to become an unpaid caregiver.”

His shoulders dropped.

Meredith explained that formal divorce papers had been prepared and that the process server would provide the documents.

Blake looked stunned.

“You’re ending our marriage over this?”

I felt tears gathering, but my voice remained steady.

“No, Blake. I’m ending our marriage because I’ve spent years asking you to treat me like a partner, and you’ve repeatedly shown me that my trust means less to you than getting your way.”