cnu In the third month of marriage, my mother-in-law sat at my own kitchen table and said my apartment was “family property,” then told me I owed her $1,000 a month in rent—but when I calmly said I would just go back to my apartment

her arm before she could respond.

The second time Patricia spoke was near the end of the session.

Richard Oce had asked Daniel directly whether he had disclosed the existence of the loan and the joint account to me before or during the marriage.

And Daniel had said quietly, without looking at me, “No.”

Patricia said almost reflexively, “He was trying to continue reading …