«Will try.» «Oliver, act already.» «How long coddle her?»
Decisive steps heard. Oliver headed to door apparently. «Attorney Korolov leaves negotiations,» lawyer announced.
«Further client actions not coordinated with me.» Receding steps confirmed lawyer left. «Well, dear daughter-in-law?» Theresa said venomously.
«Alone now.» «Talk heart-to-heart.» «Talk.»
«But won’t enter.» «Oh we will.» Lock work sounds outside.
This time intense. Mom took phone, «Calling police.» «Call,» Theresa tossed.
«Till they arrive, we’ll take all.» Lock creaked under tools. Oliver with someone worked to break it.
Mom whispered Valerie. «If they really break in?» «Won’t.»
«Lock strong.» But lock yielding. Metal breaking sounds.
Five minutes later, door opened. Oliver and Theresa burst in. Husband looked determined; mother-in-law triumphant.
«Finally!» Theresa exclaimed. «Thought we’d break till evening.» Valerie and mom retreated hallway depths.
«You no right here.» «This home invasion.» «We have all rights,» Oliver declared.
«I’m registered here.» «Temporarily.» «We’re divorcing.»
«Not divorced yet.» «Means full resident.» Theresa scanned around.
«So, where docs on money?» «Valerie, pull bank papers.» «Won’t.»
«Will,» Oliver threatened. «Won’t leave till get what’s due.» «Nothing due you.»
«Due me half joint property.» «And Mom moral damage compensation.» «What moral damage?»
«For ruining family over money,» Theresa explained. Elena stepped forward. «Young man, leave condo now.»
«You commit crime.» «What crime?» «I defend rights.»
«You broke into other’s home.» «My home.» Theresa went kitchen, opened cabinets drawers.
«Where money kept? Safe? Or card in bank?» «Nowhere,» Valerie replied.
«How nowhere? And $50,000?» «Spent already.» Mother-in-law stopped, stared daughter-in-law.
«On what?» «Store expansion.» «Prepaid office.»
«Lying.» «Not.» «Can check.»
Oliver approached wife closely. «Valerie, stop playing.» «We know money there.»
«Hand over.» «Won’t.» «Will.» Oliver grabbed wife’s purse, searched it.
Valerie tried snatch back, but husband pushed her. «Where bank cards?» «Won’t say.»
«Say.» Theresa ransacked condo, turning everything upside. Oliver held wife’s hand, preventing interference.
«Where cards? Account docs?» he demanded. «Let go.» Valerie struggled.
«Won’t till say.» Mom tried intervene, but Oliver pushed her. «Stay out.»
«This family showdown.» «What family? You’re robbers,» Elena yelled. At that moment, Theresa found bank docs folder in desk.
«Oliver! Here.» «Account statements.» Mother-in-law grabbed papers, studied.
«So, savings account.» «$50,000.» «There they are.»
Oliver released wife, rushed mother. «Give here.» Valerie tried grab docs, but Oliver faster.
«You nuts? Promised this to Mom.» Husband yelled, snatching from her hands. Mother-in-law already grabbed the $50,000 and headed exit, but froze.
When front door opened. In doorway stood two cops with Officer Petrov. «What’s going on?» one asked sternly.
Theresa froze with docs in hands. Oliver paled. «We… this… resolving family matters,» he muttered.
«What family matters?» Elena interjected. «They broke in, trying steal docs.» «We steal nothing.»
Theresa outraged. «Our money.» Officer Petrov inspected broken door.
«Who broke lock?» «I,» Oliver admitted. «But my home too.»
«Temporary registration no right to break,» cop explained. «Especially against owner’s will.» Elena approached mother-in-law.
«Return docs to daughter.» «Won’t.» «That’s ours.»
«You own nothing,» mom said firmly, snatched papers from Theresa’s hands. «Ow! She hit me.» Mother-in-law yelled.
«No one hit.» Elena replied calmly, handing docs daughter. Cops drew up home invasion protocol.
Took Oliver and Theresa to station for statements. «Valerie, you’ll regret,» mother-in-law yelled from car. «We’ll get all through court.»
Month later, divorce finalized. Oliver tried court for property share but lost. Judge ruled savings pre-marital Valerie’s property.
Store expanded successfully. New office brought good profit. Valerie stood at office window, overlooking city.
Hurt realizing two years wasted on liar. But she coped. Now truly free and independent.
Better alone than with betrayer, she thought and returned to work.
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