Chapter 3
The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains of the home office, casting long, dusty geometric patterns across the Persian rug. David sat behind the heavy oak desk, the blue folder opened wide before him. Inside lay pages of financial disclosures, custody guidelines, and a preliminary separation agreement drafted by a family law attorney downtown. Every document represented a step away from a life built on compromise and toward an uncertain, solitary future.
A soft knock interrupted his concentration. The door creaked open to reveal Tyler, holding a mug of warm cocoa. The teenager looked subdued, lacking the usual restless energy that defined his weekend mornings. He walked over and placed the mug near the edge of the desk, his eyes lingering on the neat stacks of legal paperwork.
"Can I ask you something real?" Tyler asked, leaning his hip against the corner of the bookcase.
"Always," David said, closing the folder halfway to give his full attention. "What’s on your mind?"
"Are we going to have to move?" Tyler’s voice carried a subtle edge of anxiety. "All my friends are here. Track season starts next month, and I’m aiming for the district relay team."
"I am doing everything in my power to ensure you and Mia stay in this house, in this school district," David reassured him, offering a firm, reassuring nod. "The house is in both our names, but legally and logistically, we need to sort out how things will be handled while your mother and I figure out our next steps. You won't have to pack up your life, Ty. I promise you that."
Tyler let out a noticeable sigh of relief, his shoulders dropping an inch. "Good. Because mom called a little while ago. She wants to come by this afternoon to pick up some more clothes and her jewelry box."
David felt a familiar tightening in his chest. "Did she ask to see you kids?"
"She asked if Mia was practicing," Tyler muttered, looking down at his sneakers. "When I said no, she just sighed and said she'd be here around two o'clock."
The casual dismissiveness in Elena's words stung, even though David had grown accustomed to her emotional detachment. Mia’s athletic dedication had always been a thorn in Elena’s side, a reminder of youthful vigor and sacrifices that Elena felt she had missed out on in her own ambitions. Instead of nurturing her daughter's passion, Elena viewed it as a direct competitor for attention within the household.
"Alright," David said, standing up and smoothing the front of his shirt. "When she comes, you and Mia can go over to the neighbor’s house for an hour or two. I want to handle this conversation with your mother without any unnecessary crossfire."
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"We can help, Dad," Tyler insisted with a protective streak that made David immensely proud. "We're not little kids anymore."
"I know you aren't," David said softly, resting a hand on his son's shoulder. "That's why I need you to trust me to manage this part. Go check on your sister; she’s probably up in her room working on her stretching routine."
