I drew in a slow, shaky breath before speaking. Mark reached toward me, but I pulled back instinctively, holding my daughter tighter.
“You took everything from me,” I said quietly. “My security. My trust. My ability to prepare for her arrival. You made me believe we were barely surviving. You let me feel ashamed for needing help.”
His face twisted. “I made a mistake—”
“You made hundreds,” I replied. “One every single month.”
Grandpa placed a steady hand on my shoulder. “You don’t have to decide everything today,” he said gently. “But you deserve safety. And you deserve truth.”
Suddenly, Vivian broke into sobs. “Claire, please! You’ll ruin Mark’s career. Everyone will find out!”
Grandpa didn’t hesitate. “If consequences come, they belong to him—not to Claire.”
Mark’s voice dropped to a desperate whisper. “Please… just let me fix this.”
I finally met his eyes. For the first time, I didn’t see my husband. I saw someone who chose greed over his own family.
“I need time,” I said firmly. “And I need distance. You’re not coming with us today. I have to protect my daughter from this… from you.”
