leaving.
“She leaves right now,” I said firmly.
Gwendolyn stared directly at me across the foyer, clearly searching my expression for any hesitation or mercy.
I briefly closed my eyes.
My mother’s final instruction returned to me.
Do not ever confuse forgiveness with surrender.
I stepped forward and opened the heavy front door wide.
Without saying another word, Gwendolyn picked up her bags and walked outside into the Phoenix heat.
Dad moved into his new apartment a month later.
Chloe remained in the house until winter break before moving into
