Grandpa looked at her with quiet disappointment. “And you haven’t.”
Despite everything, I felt a pang in my chest. She was still my mother.
“Why are you doing this?” I asked her softly. “You never cared about the company before.”
Her voice trembled. “Because I’m tired of being left behind. Your father left. My marriage failed. My life wasn’t supposed to end like this. Mark promised me something better.”
“He wants the money,” I said gently. “Not you.”She flinched but said nothing.
Grandpa stepped back. “Emily. You decide.”
I took a breath. I didn’t want revenge. I wanted stability.
“You don’t have to leave tonight,” I said. “But Mark does.”
“He’s my husband!” she protested.
“And this is my house,” I replied. “He’s leaving.”
Continue on the next page:
