With an injury on my neck and a backpack full of documents, I returned home like a warrior heading into battle.

As expected, Mary started yelling the moment she saw me, though her tone was a slightly more restrained this time. “You ungrateful girl! Do you even see me as your mother anymore?”

“No, I don’t,” I replied flatly.

She nearly stumbled backward in shock.

“Mr. Zachary Parker is the lawyer I hired. Today, we’re here to ...