Now, standing in the kitchen after the confrontation, Naya watched her husband struggle to understand the documents he'd signed.
He flipped back to the first page.
Then the second.
Then the section containing his acknowledgment of the house's original ownership.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
The mistress moved toward him.
"What does it say?"
He pulled the papers away.
"Nothing."
She frowned.
"Then why do you look like that?"
He ignored her.
Naya looked toward the woman.
"It says he knew this house was mine before we married."
The mistress stared.
Then shook her head.
"That's not what he told me."
Naya nodded slowly.
"I imagine there's a lot he didn't tell you."
Her husband slammed the folder shut.
"Stop talking to her."
Naya looked toward him.
"No."
His jaw tightened.
For a moment, he seemed surprised by the firmness in her voice.
She continued.
"You brought her into my kitchen. You brought a baby into this house. And you demanded that I leave without even telling me the truth first."
He stepped closer.
"Naya, this is still our marital home."
She nodded.
"It has been our residence. That doesn't make you the owner, and it doesn't give you the right to throw me out this morning."
He stared.
Then laughed bitterly.
"You think a piece of paper means I have no rights?"
Naya shook her head.
"I think the lawyers and the court can address the rights we actually have. I'm not taking legal advice from the man who just told me to leave my own house in an hour."
For a moment, the mistress looked impressed despite herself.
Then she folded her arms.
"He paid for this lifestyle."
Naya turned toward her.
"Did he tell you that too?"
The woman lifted her chin.
"He said he bought this place when his company started making serious money."
Naya looked around.
Then smiled sadly.
"I purchased this house when I was twenty-four. I renovated it before I met him. And the mortgage payments have come from the accounts I maintained for that purpose."
Her husband interrupted.
"I contributed to this family."
Naya nodded.
"You did. And the law can account for whatever contributions are relevant."
She paused.
"But that isn't the same as owning the deed, and it doesn't give you permission to hand the house to another woman."
The mistress's expression changed.
For the first time, she looked uncertain.
The infant began crying.
The sound was soft at first.
Then louder.
The mistress glanced toward the car seat.