Chapter 11 - Lauren Had to Lose Her Story Too
For the first time in my life, Lauren was not angry at me.
She was angry at everybody.
“Did Derek know?”
Not about Margaret.
But he knew there was an old Whitman claim tied to Brookfield.
He knew enough to benefit from silence.
That was sufficient to explode their marriage.
Not instantly.
Not theatrically.
They entered counseling.
Separated temporarily.
Derek denied knowing the full history.
Probably true.
He still knew enough to push a refinance whose proceeds would rescue him.
Also true.
Lauren asked me to forgive her.
I did not.
Not immediately.
“You smiled when Mason spit in my food.”
Her face collapsed.
“I know.”
“You knew I was paying Mom and Dad.”
“I knew you helped.”
“You knew enough.”
“Yes.”
“And you let Derek tell your son I was stealing the house.”
She started crying.
“I believed him.”
“Why?”
She had no good answer.
Then she whispered:
“Because believing you were selfish made everything I accepted from Mom and Dad feel less ugly.”
That was honest.
It mattered.
May you like
Not enough for instant reconciliation.
Enough for somewhere to begin.
