He Told His Mother to Leave—Then Henry Revealed the Truth

Chapter 3: A Room That Was Already Chosen

David said the proposed sale would benefit everyone. They could buy somewhere smaller. Catherine could move into a residence with activities and people her own age.

“Which residence?” she asked.

He hesitated.

Emma looked down.

They had already toured one.

Catherine sat on the chair beside the stairs. She set the suitcase down gently, keeping her hand on its handle.

“Did either of you think I might want to choose?”

“We thought you'd refuse,” David said.

“So you decided refusal didn't count.”

No one answered.

Emma's silence finally broke. “I thought you had discussed it with her.”

“You were standing there when he told me to leave,” Catherine said.

Emma's eyes filled. “I know.”

Catherine did not soften the moment by reassuring her.

Henry waited until she looked toward him. “Would you like me to stay while you finish talking?”

“Yes.”

The small question changed something in the room. No one had asked Catherine what she wanted all day.

David stared at the folder. “Are you throwing us out?”

“I'm telling you the house isn't yours to sell. Tomorrow I'll speak to someone independent about the arrangements. Tonight, I need to sleep somewhere I won't be treated as an inconvenience.”

She stood and took her suitcase.

This time David moved out of her way.