"This is from her father and me," she said, sliding it across the table. "$5,000. It's not everything she cost you, but consider it an apology."
I looked at it but didn't touch it. "You don't have to do that." "I do," she said. "We raised her. We let her think this behavior was acceptable. We need to take responsibility for it."
After a moment, I took the envelope and tucked it under the folder. "Thank you." She looked relieved, then leaned forward. "Between us, Landon's already having doubts. He came by the house last night, yelling about her draining his account. Apparently, she keeps asking him to pay for a new apartment.
He didn't know she had nowhere to go until she called from the police station about the car."
I almost smiled. "So, he's realizing she's a freeloader?" "She's a handful," Doris admitted. "He looked like a ghost, said she spends more time on Instagram than job hunting." "That sounds about right," I said.
Doris finally took a sip of her coffee, staring at me over the rim. "You're very calm about all this." "I'm done with the circus," I said. "I just want peace and my car back." That earned a quiet laugh, the first real one from her.
"You remind me of my husband. He's furious at her, but trying to handle it quietly. I think seeing her crash might be what finally wakes him up, too." "Maybe," I said. "Or maybe she'll find someone else to pay her way before that."
"She doesn't realize she's destroying herself," she said quietly. "She'll blame everyone else when it's done," I replied.
Doris nodded. Then she gathered her purse and stood. "Thank you for meeting me, Patrick. You didn't deserve this." "No one does," I said, standing, too.
She hesitated, then put a hand on my arm. "You know, if you ever want to send her the message that she can't use people anymore, don't argue with her, just succeed. That's the one thing she can't handle." I smiled. "Already working on it."
When she left, I sat there for a few more minutes, staring at the folder. I didn't need the money, but the gesture mattered. It meant someone in that family finally saw the truth. For the first time since this whole mess started, I felt something close to satisfaction. Not revenge, just confirmation that I wasn't crazy for drawing the line.
Minerva had fooled everyone for years. Now, one by one they were waking up. And the best part? I didn't have to lift a finger.
Three quiet weeks went by. No yelling, no drama, no late-night door knocking. I was starting to forget what it felt like to constantly brace for chaos. Then, on a random Thursday morning, my phone buzzed again. Billy.
I hesitated before answering. Last time she called it was an apology. This time she sounded exhausted. "Patrick, she's living with me now," she said right away. "And I'm losing my mind."
I almost laughed. "What happened to Landon's big love story?" "He still visits, but barely. She won't leave the couch. I get home from work and she's sitting there in pajamas talking to her followers about her healing journey. She keeps saying she's rebuilding after narcissistic abuse."
I raised an eyebrow. "She actually says that?" "Every day," Billy groaned. "She filmed a video crying because she said I don't support her growth. Meanwhile, I'm paying her share of groceries and she refuses to look for a job."
I leaned back in my chair. "Sounds familiar." "She told me last night that Landon's going through financial stress and can't help her right now, which I think means he stopped sending her money." "Good for him," I said. "Reality's hitting the fan."
Billy sighed. "She's talking about suing you again. Said she's been researching tenant laws. I told her to drop it, but she keeps saying you ruined her life." "She can try," I said, keeping my tone even. "But I've got every receipt she'll ever need to lose."
Two days later, I found out she wasn't bluffing. My lawyer called while I was at work. "You're going to love this one," he said. "You've officially been served by your ex." "What now?"
"She filed a claim for emotional distress, illegal eviction, and loss of property. Wants $50,000."
I started laughing. "She announced she was engaged while living in my house rent-free. How is that emotional distress I caused?" "Relax," my lawyer said. "We'll handle it. I'm drafting a counterclaim for 6 months of back rent, unpaid utilities, and property damage.
We'll ask for $28,000 just to make it sting." "Perfect," I said. "Bill me whatever it takes."
A week later, we were in court. Minerva actually showed up in a beige suit, fake crying before the session even started. She didn't have a real attorney, just some overworked legal aid lawyer who looked like he'd met her 5 minutes before. When it was her turn to speak, she went on this long rant about psychological warfare, coercive control, and how I weaponized law enforcement. The judge's face was completely blank the entire time.
Then my lawyer stood up, handed the judge a thick folder, and said, "Exhibit A, proof the plaintiff never paid rent, was not on the lease, and publicly announced her engagement to another man while living in the defendant's residence. Exhibit B, police reports confirming voluntary departure. Exhibit C, her own Instagram posts showing she left voluntarily, publicly calling herself newly engaged, and thanking her fiance for supporting her." The judge skimmed through it, sighed, and looked at her. "Ms. Martin, this doesn't appear to be an eviction case.
It appears you were living rent-free in someone else's home."
She tried to interrupt. "But I have trauma!" The judge raised a hand. "This is a civil case, not therapy." Five minutes later, it was over.
Case dismissed. My counterclaim was officially logged. Her so-called lawyer looked like he couldn't get out of there fast enough.
By that afternoon, she started posting again, claiming the court was corrupt and money talks. She didn't mention that her own attorney dropped her the same day. I wasn't even mad. I was impressed at how she kept digging the hole deeper.
A week later, my lawyer called again. "Guess where she's living now." "Let me guess, back with her parents?" "Nope, back with Landon, temporarily at least. She used his address on one of the filings."