The court proceedings moved faster than Dennis expected. The evidence was overwhelming: the hidden bank transfers, the attempt to borrow against my father’s land, the changed billing information, and the forged signature. The court awarded me the house and all fourteen acres. I was also awarded $69,000 and monthly support. Dennis could no longer control the property or the money he had tried to hide.

He pleaded guilty to forgery and received two years of probation. He was ordered to repay the credit union’s costs, while the financial accounts were divided according to the court’s decision. Dennis eventually moved into a small apartment in Biloxi. There was no dramatic goodbye between us. After everything he had done, there were simply no words left that needed to be said. For the first time, the future belonged entirely to me. Click continue reading below