The money from the second house and the savings she had tucked away could ensure I had that space. I could refuse to sell the family home, instead maintaining the sanctuary she and I had built together. My decisions didn’t have to align with others’ expectations or priorities.
After closing the folder, I gently returned it to its place, feeling a deep sense of calm. Helen had always been the planner, the one who thought several steps ahead. She had anticipated that I might need to be shielded from the storm of well-meaning intervention.
The following day, I called Mark and Laura separately. I could hear the anticipation in Mark’s voice when he picked up the phone, ready to discuss the logistics of the sale. Laura was ready with her rehearsed speech about family investment. But my tone was calm as I told them both the same thing:
“I appreciate your concern, but I’ve made my decision. I’m not selling the house.”
