Chapter 5 - THE ULTIMATUM
Marcus folded the receipt and placed it carefully into the breast pocket of his three-piece suit. He looked at his wife, his expression entirely devoid of affection.
“Pack your bags,” he said.
“Marcus, please, let’s talk about this—”
“Pack your bags, pack Leo’s bags, and pack Maya’s bags,” Marcus continued, his voice terrifyingly calm. “You are leaving my house tonight. Go to your sister’s place. Go to a hotel. I don’t care. But if you are still inside this house in exactly one hour, I am calling the authorities.”
“You can’t do this! You can’t throw us out over some old jewelry!” she sobbed, grasping at his arm.
Marcus easily stepped out of her reach. “You didn’t just steal jewelry. You intentionally humiliated my daughter in public. You made her walk around in shoes that were falling apart while you dressed your own children in designer clothes. You told her she didn’t matter. You are a cruel, selfish woman, and I will not allow you to poison my daughter’s life for one more second.”
He walked past her, leaving her weeping in the hallway, and went downstairs.
Nia was sitting on the living room sofa, her new backpack resting next to her. She looked up as her father approached. She saw the absolute resolution in his eyes.
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“Are you okay, Dad?” she whispered.
Marcus sat down beside her and pulled her into a tight, protective embrace. “I’m so sorry, baby,” he murmured into her dark hair. “I am so sorry I didn’t see it sooner. But I promise you, I am going to fix this.”
