I stared at him.
“So the plan was to destroy her kitchen first, then pressure me into paying to fix it?”
“That’s not what I said.”
“No. It’s what you planned.”
“Donna, please. Don’t make this harder.”
I nearly laughed.
The previous day, I had been selfish.
Now I was necessary.
“When does demolition start?”
His eyes narrowed. “Why?”
“Because I want to see what you bought.”
—
I arrived at Marianne’s house shortly after ten the next morning. Benjamin’s crew had already begun working. Plastic sheeting covered the entrance to the kitchen, and the air carried the smell of sawdust.
Benjamin stood in the hallway holding a clipboard.
“Water’s shut off,” he called to one worker. “Electrical is also disconnected. Keep the capped lines clear.”
Good.
Everything was safe and professionally handled.
Only the consequences remained.
