That sentence landed harder than he knew.
Because thirteen years earlier, my mother had stood in the doorway of my childhood bedroom and said almost the same thing.
Lauren needs the space more than you do.
Back then, that sentence had cost me everything.
This time, it wasn’t going to cost me anything.
I folded my arms.
“You’re not moving in.”
Lauren’s mouth fell open.
Mom looked stunned.
“You cannot be serious.”
“I’m completely serious.”
“We have children with us.”
“I can see them.”
“And you’re going to leave your own nieces and nephew without somewhere to sleep?”
“I’m not leaving anybody anywhere. You arrived here without permission.”
Derek walked up to the keypad.
“Look, Emma, just open the gate. We’ll unload and talk inside like adults.”
“Do not touch that keypad.”
He looked directly into the camera.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
Mom shook her head.
