Part 2: My son h.i.t me 30 times in front of his wife… so the next morning, while he sat in his office, I sold the house he thought was his.

That work gave the River Oaks house a different ending too.

Harbor House Foundation renovated the property.

Not into a shelter.

Zoning made that difficult.

Instead, it became administrative offices and temporary consulting space for several legal-aid and elder-advocacy programs.

The dining room where Trevor hit me became a conference room.

I learned that accidentally.

Daniel showed me a photograph.

I stared.

Same chandelier.

Different table.

On the wall:

FINANCIAL SAFETY CLINIC — TUESDAYS

I laughed until I cried.

Trevor would have hated it.

Then I stopped myself.

No.

This wasn’t about Trevor hating anything.

It was simply an object being used better.

Two years passed before I heard from Kristen again.

A letter forwarded through attorneys.

I almost didn’t read it.

Then curiosity won.

Gloria,

I know you think I manipulated Trevor.

I rolled my eyes.

Excellent opening.

I did.

At least she improved quickly.

She admitted she had married Trevor partly because she believed proximity to my wealth would create security.