Mason placed the roses on the porch.
Then, as he walked away, he suddenly turned and kicked them across the driveway.
Dad saved the footage.
Meanwhile, Mason’s employer learned about the situation.
They did not terminate him because of social-media accusations.
But Mason had apparently used his corporate email account to forward claims that I was a thief to several business contacts.
That triggered an internal review.
His system access was temporarily restricted.
For the first time, his actions were creating consequences he could not blame on me.
Three days later, Carol called from a number I didn’t recognize.
I almost didn’t answer.
“Olivia.”
I knew her voice immediately.
She sounded tired.
Not angry.
That was almost stranger.
“This has to stop.”
“What has to stop?”
“The posts. The comments. People calling our family disgusting. People contacting Dean’s church. Mason’s coworkers know everything.”
“You published accusations about me first.”
