"You tried to destroy my marriage while Sarah was getting sick," I said quietly.
"I never touched her," my mother snapped immediately.
Truthfully, part of me had wondered whether she had somehow caused Sarah's illness.
She'd never fully approved of Sarah.
But standing there, looking at my mother, I realized something worse. She could ruin Sarah without laying a hand on her. Months of stress, manipulation, and emotional pressure had already done enough damage.
"I can't trust you around my children anymore."
My mother's face crumpled instantly. Then anger replaced the sadness.
"You'll regret this, Daniel!"
"No," I said firmly. "I regret not trusting my wife."
I closed the door and locked it.
I realized something worse.
***
That evening, I sent my mother one final message explaining everything I knew.
I told her I realized Sarah had been telling the truth about not having an affair and that some of the kids had already grown uncomfortable around her because of the lies and manipulation.
And finally, I told her I was done.
Then I blocked her number.
Of course, she still tried showing up at the house afterward.
I told her I was done.
***
One afternoon, my mother stood outside pounding on the door while the kids cried upstairs, listening to her yell.
That was the day I finally called the cops and had her removed for trespassing.
I won't lie and say it didn't hurt. She was still my mother.
