Emmett looked down at page four. “Dr. Adrian Mercer.” I had never heard the name. Nolan went completely silent on speaker. Emmett continued carefully: Adrian had been added as an authorized driver months earlier using an electronic approval supposedly submitted by me. I had approved nothing. The dealership immediately flagged the account for review and preserved the documents rather than making any changes.
Then Nolan finally admitted the truth. Adrian worked at the hospital and was Delphine’s brother. The white sedan I kept seeing belonged to him. He had been staying at their townhouse several nights a week after separating from his wife, and Nolan had been letting him use the SUV whenever necessary. Delphine had apparently handled the paperwork because, according to Nolan, “Mom always signs whatever we need anyway.”
That sentence ended the discussion.
I told Emmett I would not renew or buy out the lease. Nolan could return the vehicle by the deadline, and any questionable authorization would be reviewed separately. If he wanted another SUV, he was free to qualify for one himself.
Nolan called afterward furious.
“You’re really taking my car?”
I corrected him once.
“No. I’m returning mine.”
He had asked me to stay out of his life.
By Friday, he finally understood that also meant living without the parts of mine he had been using.
