Three hours after I gave birth without my husband beside me, my mother texted: “Your sister’s kids expect new phones for their birthday. Send $2,000.”

She had only been allowed to live there.

Mom sank into the chair.

“So I’m losing my house.”

I shook my head.

“No.”

She looked at me with desperate hope.

“You’re losing the house you tried to steal from me.”

Her expression collapsed.

Derek looked at me.

I knew what he was asking without saying it.

Was I really going to do this?

Was I really going to let my mother leave?

I looked at Clara.

My daughter was sleeping peacefully, completely unaware of the fight happening ten feet away.

And suddenly I remembered the first message my mother had sent after I gave birth.

Send $2,000.

Not congratulations.

Not, How are you feeling?

Not, Is the baby healthy?

Money.

That had been the first thing she wanted from me after I became a mother.