Chapter 8 - THE DECISION THAT COULD NOT BE UNDONE
Nicholas denied following Abigail.
He said he had come to deliver separation papers.
Abigail’s attorney instructed her not to engage.
The temporary protective order prohibited Nicholas from contacting her, entering the Alexandria townhouse while she collected belongings, or using third parties to pressure her. A hearing would determine whether the order continued.
Evelyn responded before sunset.
She removed Abigail’s access to Reed Foundation accounts and informed several vendors that Abigail was “on medical leave following a personal crisis.” Two clients canceled upcoming events.
Abigail had relied on the Reed family for nearly half her annual income.
Leaving Nicholas now meant losing her marriage, home, professional network, and health insurance within the same season.
Helen offered money.
Abigail accepted only enough to cover the attorney’s retainer and first month of rent. She created a repayment schedule before taking the check.
“You don’t have to prove anything to me,” Helen said.
“I have to prove it to myself.”
At the townhouse, Abigail collected clothes, work files, and the wooden recipe box her grandmother had given her. A court-approved third party remained nearby while Nicholas waited outside.
She noticed the bedroom door had been repaired.
During the argument before St. Anne’s, Abigail had locked herself inside. Nicholas kicked the lower panel until the wood split.
New paint covered the damage, but the replacement molding was a different shade.
Helen photographed it at the attorney’s request.
Nicholas watched from the sidewalk.
When Abigail carried out the final box, he said her name.
The monitor warned him not to speak to her.
Nicholas addressed Helen instead.
“You think this makes her safe?”
Helen did not respond.
“My mother will burn down every part of Abigail’s life before she lets Caroline’s name become public.”
Abigail stopped walking.
Nicholas’s face tightened as though he regretted saying too much.
Helen asked, “What is Evelyn protecting?”
Nicholas looked toward the townhouse windows.
“Not what Abigail thinks.”
The following morning, St. Anne’s filed a formal response to the licensing complaint. It described Abigail as a voluntary guest experiencing paranoid delusions involving Caroline Reed’s death.
Attached was a notarized statement from Nicholas.
He claimed Abigail had threatened to destroy his family unless he gave her ownership of the Alexandria townhouse.
The house belonged to a Reed family trust.
The accusation made Abigail look financially motivated.
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It also revealed what Evelyn feared most.
A public examination of the trust would expose every payment St. Anne’s had received for both Reed children.
