“The arrangement is simple,” Benjamin said, standing tall and pointing toward the open front door. “Leave the keys to the family SUV on the counter. Get out of our house, and never step foot on this property again. If I see your cars anywhere near our street, the files go public.”
Without saying another word, Patrick pulled his keys from his pocket, dropped them onto the entryway table with a loud clatter, and grabbed his wife’s arm. They rushed out into the pouring rain, their expensive clothes getting soaked as they practically ran to their luxury sedan.
As their tail lights disappeared down the driveway, the adrenaline finally left my body. I sank to my knees on the hardwood floor, sobbing tears of relief while my kids swarmed around me, hugging me tightly. Benjamin knelt down next to me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders.
We stayed in the house that night, safe and warm, knowing that the people who tried to destroy us could never touch us again. Andrew wasn’t here to protect us physically, but even in his final days, he had found a way to shield his family from the wolves at the door. We have a long road of grieving ahead of us, but tonight, my son showed me that we are going to be just fine.
