It was the photo I’d printed from the security camera footage.
It clearly showed Robbert and Kate on the couch.
Kate’s face drained of color.
Emily’s jaw dropped.
Daniel stared.
Helen covered her mouth.
And I was just getting started.
It was the photo I’d printed from the security camera footage.
“As you all can see, my sister and my husband have been having an affair,” I said.
“Oh my God.” Emily turned to look at her father. “How could you?”
Robbert finally found his voice. “Margaret, please. Let me explain.”
“No.” The word came from Daniel. “You don’t get to explain. There is no explanation for what you and Aunt Kate have done.”
I then pulled out Mom’s letter from the safety deposit box.
“As you all can see, my sister and my husband have been having an affair.”
“Kate, this is a letter Mom left for me after she died,” I said. “I never showed it to you before, but I think it’s time you understood something important.”
I cleared my throat.
Then I started reading my mother’s words out loud.
“Margaret, if you’re reading this, I’m gone. There’s something I need you to know. Kate loves being taken care of. She always has. I spent years making excuses for it because she was young, and now I need you to promise me something.”
“I think it’s time you understood something important.”
“You are not Kate’s parent, sweetheart. Promise me you will not spend your life rescuing someone who never learns to stand on her own,” I continued.
Kate stood abruptly. “That is not fair!”
“One day, she may ask for more than you should ever give,” I continued, raising my voice to speak over her. “If that day comes, choose yourself.”
I folded the letter and stared at Kate until she sank back down into her chair, cheeks bright red.
Then I reached into the folder for the last item.
“One day, she may ask for more than you should ever give.”
I pulled out the documents and set them on the table in front of Robbert. “These are divorce papers. Already signed by me.”
I slid another document across the table.
Robbert glanced down at the last document and the blood drained from his face.
“What is this?” he whispered.
“That’s the prenup you signed twenty-eight years ago,” I replied.
I slid another document across the table.
His face changed instantly.
The room watched, but nobody moved.
“You remember the one you said was unnecessary,” I added. “It states that if you cheat on me, I get to keep the house in the divorce. It also clarifies that the investment accounts my mother left me remain in my possession.”
Silence. Suddenly, every person at that table understood exactly what kind of people they were dealing with.
His face changed instantly.
“Enjoy apartment hunting,” I added as I turned toward the door. “Because tonight, I’m choosing myself.”
Neither of them spoke.
I opened the door. “You should go now.”
Nobody defended them as Kate and Robbert awkwardly rose from the table.
Robert walked out without meeting my gaze.
Kate turned on the threshold and opened her mouth to speak.
“You should go now.”
I shut the door.
The sound echoed through the house like a verdict.
Weeks later, I sat on the back porch with a travel brochure open in my lap.
Kate and Robbert walked into my house expecting another family dinner. They left without a family at all.
I sat on the back porch with a travel brochure open in my lap.