Chapter 5 - The Family That Took Sides
Trevor’s mother called a family meeting.
She invited relatives, cousins, uncles, and family friends to the same restaurant where Trevor and Naomi had celebrated their engagement.
Her goal was obvious.
She wanted Naomi to feel outnumbered.
Naomi arrived with Lila and Evelyn.
Trevor sat at the far end of the table, looking exhausted.
Candace was absent.
Her lawyer had advised her not to attend.
Trevor’s mother, Diane, folded her hands.
“Naomi, we are all very concerned about what has happened.”
Naomi looked around the table.
“Are you concerned that Candace hit me?”
Diane’s expression tightened.
“We are concerned that this family is being torn apart.”
“By what?”
“By misunderstandings.”
Naomi laughed once.
It was not a happy sound.
“A misunderstanding is ordering the wrong meal. Candace hit me, and Trevor told me to apologize.”
Diane turned toward Trevor.
“You should have handled it better.”
Trevor lowered his head.
Naomi noticed the wording.
Not defended her.
Handled it better.
As if she were a public-relations problem.
Diane continued.
“You know Candace has always been emotional.”
Naomi stared at her.
“So the family knew she was capable of violence?”
The table went silent.
Trevor’s uncle looked away.
One cousin shifted uncomfortably.
Diane’s face changed.
“You are twisting my words.”
“No,” Naomi said. “I am finally hearing them correctly.”
She placed copies of the financial records on the table.
Then she placed a printed image from the kitchen security footage beside them.
Candace’s raised hand.
Naomi’s face turned away.
Trevor standing still.
“I am not asking anyone to choose sides,” Naomi said. “I am only refusing to keep carrying the consequences of choices other people made.”
Trevor looked at her.
“Naomi, please.”
She met his eyes.
“You had your chance to speak when it mattered.”
Then she stood and left.
Outside, Lila squeezed her hand.
“You okay?”
Naomi looked up at the gray afternoon sky.
“No,” she said honestly.
May you like
Then she took a deeper breath.
“But I will be.”
