Nolan Finally Walked Through the Front Door

The front door opened.

Nolan stood there with a backpack over one shoulder.

He looked at his mother, then at me.

His face told me he had heard enough.

“You said the photographs were real,” he told Delia.

“They were real enough.”

“You said Corinne planned to take Lacey away.”

“I was protecting you.”

“You were controlling me.”

Delia stepped closer to him.

“Without my help, you will lose your position, this house and every opportunity Everett offered you.”

Nolan lowered the backpack to the floor.

For the first time since I had met him, he did not look away from her.

“Then I will lose them.”

Delia’s voice sharpened.

“You will choose her after everything I have done?”

Nolan looked at me, but I did not move toward him.

“I am choosing to stop living according to your fear.”

I held up my phone.

“Your entire explanation was recorded, Delia.”

Her confidence vanished.

She reached toward me, but Nolan stepped between us.

“You need to leave.”

Delia accused me of destroying the family.

She said Nolan would regret opposing her.

She warned that Everett could end his career with one phone call.

But Nolan opened the door and waited until she walked out.