Nadia finally told me what had happened. Douglas and Marguerite had arrived claiming Grant wanted to “work things out,” then placed a proposed separation agreement in front of her. It gave Grant generous parenting time, drastically reduced his financial obligations, and stated that Nadia already had permanent housing because I had supposedly agreed to let her and Owen remain in my home indefinitely. Attached was a draft occupancy statement with my name typed beneath a signature line. I had never seen it.
Then I noticed my locked filing drawer standing open. They had gone through insurance records, mortgage statements, and copies of my deed while Nadia sat there crying. I photographed everything before touching it, called my attorney, and then called local police. Douglas suddenly became cooperative. Marguerite insisted they were only “helping family.” The officers explained that being related to my sister did not give them permission to search through my private records or remain after I told them to leave.
Nadia signed nothing. Her attorney received copies of every document, and Grant’s proposed agreement was reviewed through proper channels instead of across my coffee table under pressure.
As Douglas reached the porch, he told me I had made things unnecessarily ugly.
I looked back at Nadia holding Owen.
“No,” I said. “I just made sure you couldn’t make her afraid in my house again.”
