My husband came home and said, “I’m in love with another woman, but I still love you, so I’ll just live in both houses” — I thought he was joking until he began packing, so I taught him a lesson he never expected from me.

 

“Did he offer you anything?” Graham asked.

 

“He said I

could live in Elena’s house when I retired.”

 

Elena gave a bitter laugh.

 

“He promised my home to his mother?”

 

Vivian looked at her.

 

“He told me he bought it alone.”

 

“I paid the deposit from the sale of my flat.”

 

“And he took the rest from us,” I said.

 

Vivian slid a small voice recorder across the desk.

 

“When he asked me to lie, I turned this on.”

 

Graham pressed play.

 

Callum’s voice filled the room.

 

“Mum, nobody checks witness details.

 

Just say Tessa held the pen.

 

If she loses the house, she’ll become reasonable.”

 

Vivian’s recorded voice shook.

 

“And Kieran?”

 

“He’ll live with me.

 

Once the court sees she has no stable home, I’ll get what I want.”