CHAPTER 4: THE FIRST ATTACK
Three days later, I arrived at work to find my boss looking uncomfortable.
"Evelyn, can I see you in my office?"
I followed him in. He closed the door behind me.
"I received a phone call this morning," he said. "From your mother."
My stomach dropped.
"She told me some things. About your family. About your trust. She said you weren't being honest with me about your situation."
"What situation?"
"She said you're estranged from your family because you've been irresponsible with money. She said I should be careful about trusting you."
"That's a lie."
"I'm aware. I looked into your background. I know who your family is. And I know you were kicked out."
"So you believe me?"
"I believe that family drama is complicated. And I believe you're a good worker." He paused. "But I also have to protect my business. If your family is going to cause problems, I can't afford to keep you here."
I felt the blood drain from my face.
"You're firing me?"
"I'm letting you go. For now. Maybe when things settle down, you can come back."
I nodded. I didn't argue. Because I knew it wouldn't help.
I packed my things and walked out.
That was when I realized how far my mother was willing to go.
She had tried to destroy my reputation. She had tried to take away my livelihood. And she had done it without a second thought.
I called Nora.
"Your mother is escalating," Nora said. "We need to prepare for more attacks."
"What can I do?"
"Document everything. Save every email. Record every phone call. Create a paper trail."
"I already started."
"Good. And I'll start building a legal case. If she wants to fight dirty, we'll fight dirty too."
I hung up and sat in my empty apartment.
May you like
My mother had declared war.
And I was going to make sure she lost.
