I felt something was wrong, but for a moment, I wanted to believe she had come back to rebuild a bond with her daughter. The gown was certainly beautiful, and Emma would look like a princess. My granddaughter bit her lip, looking between her reflection in the mirror and the designer piece.
Before I could encourage her to at least try it on, an envelope slipped from Melissa’s purse and landed on our worn carpet. Emma leaned to pick it up, and we both saw her name written across it in bold letters. ‘What is this?’ she asked, not returning it to Melissa.
‘Oh, it’s nothing you need to concern yourself with now,’ my ex-daughter-in-law said, extending her hand for it. But Emma began opening it, and I decided to get closer, putting on my reading glasses. Inside were legal papers, as in, official-looking documents with signatures and seals.
‘What is this, Melissa?’ I asked, feeling dread crawl up my spine. Melissa’s smile faltered. ‘June, I can explain,’ she said, her voice turning low and coaxing as she looked at Emma.
‘Sweetheart, this house was meant for us. Your father bought it for our family. Right?’
‘I guess,’ Emma responded, blinking slowly.
‘Don’t you think it makes sense that I handle it now? If you sign those papers, I can sell this place and put us somewhere better,’ Melissa continued, flailing her arms. ‘Somewhere new and glamorous. You don’t have to stay stuck here with this junk in this small town. You and I could finally live the life we deserve.’
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