. And I set the lunch table exactly as Daniel had requested. At 11:57, my father sat down in Daniel\u2019s favorite chair, his hands resting peacefully on his cane. Nina waited in the studio with the security officer. I stayed across the street in Dad\u2019s car, watching the living room camera through my phone. At noon, Daniel\u2019s Mercedes entered the driveway. Evelyn came out wearing pearls and carrying a bottle of champagne. \u201cThey think they\u2019re celebrating,\u201d Dad said through my earpiece. Daniel opened the door. Her laughter entered the house before they did. \u201cWhere is our cheerful hostess?\u201d Evelyn called. Then they saw my father. Daniel stopped so suddenly that Evelyn almost bumped into him. Dad stood up slowly. \u2013 Hello, Daniel. The champagne bottle slipped from Evelyn\u2019s hand and shattered on the floor. Daniel\u2019s face turned pale. \u2014Judge Vale. \u201cRetired,\u201d Dad answered. \u201cBut he\u2019s still familiar with men who hurt women and forge documents.\u201d Daniel looked towards the staircase. \u201cWhere is Mara?\u201d \u201cSomewhere you can\u2019t reach her.\u201d Evelyn quickly regained her voice. \u201cThis is a misunderstanding within the private family.\u201d Dad looked towards the undamaged makeup bag visible through the bedroom door. \u201cNo,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel turned towards the back door.<\/span><\/p>\n The security officer left the studio before he could reach him.<\/span><\/p>\n Nina continued, holding a thick envelope.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThey have served you well,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n Daniel scanned the emergency protection order, the divorce petition, the asset freeze request, and the civil fraud complaint.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis is ridiculous!\u201d she shouted. \u201cMara owns nothing without me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Nina remained calm.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe terraced house belonged to Mara before the marriage. Her forged deed was never legally registered. However, her attempt to borrow against the property was fully documented.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Evelyn pointed at my father.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou turned it against us!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Dad\u2019s voice remained even.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYour son hurt my daughter.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Daniel\u2019s confidence began to disappear.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt was an accident.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n That\u2019s when I opened the front door.<\/span><\/p>\n They all turned around.<\/span><\/p>\n I had turned into a navy uniform.<\/span><\/p>\n I hadn\u2019t used makeup.<\/span><\/p>\n Every visible mark remained uncovered under the bright light of the corridor.<\/span><\/p>\n Daniel looked at me.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMara, tell them what happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhat would you like me to say?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n