“Calla, listen to me very carefully,” Marcus said.

“Do not leave the house permanently.”

“If you move out, it could be seen as abandonment of the marital home.”

“But he’s trying to take it,” I argued, tears hot in my eyes.

“He has his mother unpacking her things in my grandmother’s room.”

“I understand,” Marcus said.

“But legally, because you used joint accounts for maintenance, he has a colorable claim to a portion of the equity.”

“Until a judge or a mediator sorts this out, he has a right to be there.”

“I need to review the deed and the bank statements to see what our options are.”

“In the meantime, you have to stay.”

“Can I lock him out?” I asked.

“If you try to lock them out, you will look like the aggressor in court,” Marcus warned.

“For now, you are going to have to temporarily share the space.”

“Just keep your head down, document everything, and I will call you tomorrow morning.”

The line went dead.

I stared at the dashboard, the engine idling softly.

I was trapped.