“Did I?” I asked, tilting my head.
The officer cleared his throat. “Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, I have statements, medical reports, and recorded audio that strongly suggest intentional harm toward Ms. Bennett. We can discuss whether you’d prefer to come to the station tonight or arrange a formal meeting tomorrow.”
Jeffrey’s face twisted. “Mom, how could you do this? It’s CHRISTMAS!”
“And you pushed me down the stairs,” I replied coolly. “So I suppose we’re even.”
“But—why didn’t you just talk to us?” he sputtered.
“I did,” I said softly. “For years. I told you when you dismissed me. I told you when your wife mocked me in my own home. I told you when you both made it clear you were waiting for me to… disappear.”
Hannah burst into tears—real or fake, I didn’t know and didn’t care.
“You—you can’t take our house,” Jeffrey choked out. “We’ve been living here—”
