Chapter 1: The Door Closed Behind Them
Brenda stared at Marcus as if waiting for him to laugh.
Instead, he unlocked his phone and continued typing.
Rachel rolled her eyes.
"You can't be serious."
Marcus didn't even look at her.
"I've already contacted our attorney. If you refuse to leave, you'll be trespassing."
The smile vanished from Brenda's face.
"You would choose her over your own mother?"
Marcus finally looked up.
"I chose my family."
He walked straight past them and gently lifted Lily from Maya's exhausted arms.
The little girl whimpered before resting her burning forehead against his shoulder.
"Sweetheart," Marcus whispered, "Daddy's here."
For the first time all day, Maya stopped pretending to be strong.
Her knees buckled.
Marcus caught her before she hit the floor.
"You're done," he said softly.
"No more cooking. No more cleaning."
He turned toward Rachel.
"Everything in this kitchen gets cleaned before you leave."
Rachel laughed.
"You can't make me."
Marcus calmly pressed a button on his phone.
Seconds later, two uniformed security officers entered through the open front door.
May you like
"I can."
Without another word, Brenda and Rachel began stuffing their designer bags in complete silence.
