I stepped back and opened the door a little wider so they could see the empty interior again.
“I haven’t left this house,” I said softly. “I’ve withdrawn your plans.”
I then closed the door before Patrick could force his way in.
From my security camera screen, I saw them arguing on the front steps until I finally called the non-emergency police number and explained that several people were refusing to leave my property after being told they had no right to enter.
A few minutes later, two patrol cars arrived and the officers asked to examine my documents.
Patrick tried to argue that it was marital property, but he was unable to provide proof.
Officer Victor Hammond calmly asked him to leave the premises while Officer Angela Morales checked my property papers.
Deborah tried to defuse the situation with polite apologies, but the officers remained inflexible.
Finally, Patrick gave me a dark, resentful look and calmly said, “You think you’ve won.”
I looked him straight in the eyes and replied, “I think I protected myself.”
Once they had left the driveway, I locked the door and leaned against it as the adrenaline slowly wore off.
A few moments later, my phone vibrated: a message from my lawyer confirmed that an emergency hearing and a temporary protection order had already been filed.
The next battle would take place in a courtroom rather than on my doorstep, and this time, Patrick would not be able to intimidate and silence me.
