« Harold, honey, they’re trying to break us up. You know I love you. Everything I did was for your own good. »
Dad became increasingly alert during the confrontation. He looked at Patricia with clear eyes, perhaps truly seeing her for the first time in months.
If you loved me, you wouldn’t have drugged me. You wouldn’t have conspired with my son to take me home. You would have respected my wishes.
Patricia’s mask fell completely.
« So, what about your wishes? What about mine? I didn’t sign up to be stuck in this outdated house in this boring neighborhood. Derek promised me a share of the sale, enough so I could afford the downtown penthouse I deserve. »
The room fell silent after this confession. Even Derek looked stunned by her outburst.
“I think you should leave, Patricia,” Dad said quietly but firmly.
« You can’t throw me out now. I’m your wife. This is my home too. »
Walter took a step forward.
“In fact, the prenuptial agreement you signed expressly excluded any claim to this property, and given the circumstances, I believe we have grounds for an expedited annulment based on fraud.”
Patricia turned to Derek in panic.
“You said the prenuptial agreement was just a formality and that once we sold the house, no one would be able to stop us.”
Derek moved away from her.
« I never said that. Now you’re making it up. »
Lauren walked up to her dad and put her arm around him protectively.
« I can’t believe I fell for all this. Derek told me your condition was deteriorating rapidly and that you needed professional care. I should have come and seen it myself instead of taking his word for it. »
“You were busy with your own family,” her father said, patting her hand. “And Derek was always persuasive.”
Patricia, seeing her allies abandon her, made one last, desperate attempt.
« Okay. You want to know the truth? Yes. I married Harold for his money and this house. Derek presented me with a plan. He said we could both make money from it. He handles the business side. I play the devoted wife. We’ll split the profits when the house sells. Are you happy now? »
She grabbed her purse and headed for the stairs.
« I’m packing my things. This marriage was a sham anyway. A complete waste of two years of my life catering to an old man’s needs. »
We watched in stunned silence as he stomped upstairs, hurling insults and accusations. The sound of drawers being ripped open and wardrobe doors slamming echoed throughout the house.
Derek was now alone, abandoned by his partner, and faced with the collective judgment of the family he had tried to manipulate.
“This is all exaggerated,” he tried, his voice lacking conviction.
“I was just trying to provide for my dad’s future care.”
“Stealing from his house,” I challenged, “working with Patricia to drug him, hiding it all under the guise of a birthday party.”
“You never respected what this house meant to our family,” Walter added. “Barbara wanted it to stay in the family to shelter Harold for the rest of his life. You knew that, and you ignored her wishes.”
Derek’s expression hardened.
« Mom’s been gone for years. Times change, priorities change. Sentimentality about the old house is financially irresponsible. »
“Get out,” Dad said, his voice stronger than I’d heard it in months. “I don’t want to see you right now, Derek. I need time to process this betrayal.”
Derek grabbed his jacket.
« Okay, but that’s not the end of it. This power of attorney is still valid until proven otherwise. »
“We’ll see,” Michael replied. “In the meantime, I’ve filed for a protective order that will prevent any real estate transactions or additional disbursements. The documents will be served on you tomorrow.”
Derek left without a word, slamming the front door behind him.
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