“She already made our marriage public.”
“Then we don’t help her make it worse.”
I snapped.
“Your weak boundaries are part of why we’re here. We have to fight back.”
I regretted the words the second they left my mouth.
Irvin looked hurt.
“I’m not protecting Vanessa,” he said. “I’m trying to protect you. I’m the one who built that garage.”
“And I’m the one losing customers.”
We sat there in silence.
Both angry.
Both trying to protect the same life from different directions.
Then Vanessa texted me.
Last chance. Apologize publicly at the HOA meeting on the 14th. I’ll be expecting you.
Irvin held out his hand.
“Give me your phone.”
He compared Vanessa’s screenshots with the original conversations on his own phone.
Then he suddenly stopped.
“Claire. Look at this.”
Vanessa had not simply selected messages that made her look good.
