“You told us she was being difficult about moving out.”
“I am not moving out,” Megan said. “Not until the terms of the agreement are met. Not until the lien is satisfied.”
Diane’s coffee mug hit the marble counter hard enough to spill across the surface.
“Trevor,” she said, her voice suddenly much thinner than before. “What is she talking about?”
The Afternoon Legal Reality Arrived in Full
By noon, Trevor had called his attorney twice and received no reassurance from either conversation.
By two o’clock, Laura Benton arrived at the Brentwood house and sat in the study with her laptop open, speaking in the calm, even tone of someone who has every document organized and every number confirmed.
She explained the situation clearly for Diane’s benefit.
Megan’s separate funds represented the majority of the original down payment. Trevor had signed a formal agreement at the time of purchase acknowledging that contribution and granting Megan a secured legal claim against the property. The divorce decree recognized and enforced that claim. Trevor had a specific, limited window in which to refinance and satisfy the lien. Until that occurred, Megan had every legal right to remain on the property.
Diane let out a short, disbelieving laugh.
“So my son could lose this house because of her?”
Laura folded her hands on the table.
