Chapter 9 - Diane’s Version
Diane hired her own attorney.
She blamed Eric for everything.
She said her son gave her the card and told her Lena approved all purchases.
She claimed the five-thousand-dollar demand was repayment for years of unpaid childcare and housework.
There were no children.
Diane described cooking occasional dinners and collecting packages as household labor.
Her attorney suggested the coffee was thrown accidentally during a heated gesture.
The security footage contradicted that immediately.
Diane’s arm moved deliberately.
Her eyes remained fixed on Lena.
The mug left her hand only after she demanded money.
Then investigators found an audio message Diane sent to a friend earlier that evening.
If Lena says no again, I’ll make sure she understands whose family runs that house.
The message established intent.
The friend also told police Diane had bragged about making Lena “fund her retirement.”
Diane’s image of herself as a dependent mother collapsed.
She had been planning to live in the condominium while continuing to demand money.
The following morning, she expected a locksmith to replace Lena’s house locks after Eric completed the refinancing documents.
That was the surprise she intended for Lena.
Instead, the locksmith arrived under Lena’s authority after the protective order was served.
Every exterior lock was changed.
Eric and Diane watched from the sidewalk while the house they believed they controlled became inaccessible.
Diane shouted that her possessions remained inside.
The deputy explained arrangements would be made for supervised retrieval.
Lena stood behind the front window.
She did not smile.
May you like
The moment did not feel like revenge.
It felt like breathing after months in a room she had not realized was closing around her.
