They forced Mara out of the house before the rain had even dried on her husband's grave.
Six children followed her in the yard, clutching plastic bags, while her father-in-law pointed to the door as if she were nothing more than a stray.
"Your husband is gone," Harold Vance said coldly. "This house belongs to the family."
Mara looked down at little Lily, asleep in her arms, her tiny body burning with fever. Behind Harold, Celeste stood with a faint smile and a vacant look.
"Family?" Mara asked softly. "I gave your son six children."
Celeste laughed. "Six problems. Six reasons why you should leave before we call the police."
The neighbors watched from behind the curtains. Harold wanted them to see. He wanted his humiliation to be public. He dragged two suitcases onto the porch and threw them in the mud.
