When I had that dinner meeting the Jones family, the house was still only under contract. We’d put down the deposit, but we hadn’t paid the full amount yet.

Back then, all I could see was Maverick. I thought putting both our names on the deed was fine. It was supposed to be our home. But the way the Jones family acted at that table made my stomach tighten.

Under the table, Talia squeezed my hand, telling me not to speak. She’d handle it. She would make it ...