Chapter 2: The Family They Pretended to Be
Marcus grabbed the handle of my suitcase before I could move.
"You're not going anywhere.""
I looked at his hand.
"Let go.""
He laughed.
"Are you seriously threatening me in my parents' house?""
"I'm asking you to release my property.""
"Your property?"" He glanced at the suitcase.
"Everything in this house belongs to my family.""
I reached for my phone.
"Then you won't mind explaining that to the police.""
His expression hardened.
"Don't be dramatic, Nia.""
He released the suitcase but stepped directly into the doorway.
Downstairs, Evelyn called his name.
"Marcus! Is she cleaning or not?""
Marcus didn't turn around.
"She's having one of her little episodes.""
I looked at him.
"Your mother knows you threw a dirty dishcloth at your wife?""
His jaw tightened.
"Watch your mouth.""
I stepped around him.
He caught my wrist.
Not hard enough to leave a bruise, but hard enough to make his intention unmistakable.
I looked down at his fingers.
"Take your hand off me.""
For a moment, he seemed to consider whether I would actually resist.
Then he released me.
"You're going downstairs," he said.
"You're going to apologize to my mother, make breakfast, and stop acting like some spoiled rich girl.""
I walked past him.
"Interesting.""
"What?""
"You think having money makes someone spoiled. But apparently having money makes your family entitled to throw things at people.""
His face reddened.
I continued downstairs.
Evelyn was seated at the breakfast table, reading a magazine.
A plate of untouched toast sat beside her coffee.
Arthur had finally turned off the television.
He looked up when he saw my suitcases.
"What's all this?""
"I'm leaving.""
Evelyn lowered her magazine.
Then she laughed.
"Oh, Marcus. She's serious.""
Marcus walked behind me.
"She's bluffing.""
I placed my handbag on the dining table.
"I'd like the contact information for whoever manages the housekeeper's employment.""
Evelyn blinked.
"Why?""
"Because I want to know whether she's been told she no longer has a job.""
Arthur put down his coffee.
"Young lady, this is a private family matter.""
"Then why was I made part of it?""
Evelyn stood.
"Listen carefully. You married my son. You agreed to become part of this family. Around here, wives contribute.""
"I agree.""
Her eyes narrowed.
"Then start contributing.""
"I contributed by marrying him.""
Marcus made an impatient sound.
"Enough.""
He walked toward the table and picked up my handbag.
I immediately stepped forward.
"Put that down.""
He opened the clasp.
"What are you hiding?""
"That's my personal property.""
He pulled out my bank card.
His eyes moved over it.
"What's this?""
"My debit card.""
"Which account?""
"Mine.""
He laughed.
"You're married now. There is no yours and mine.""
Arthur suddenly leaned forward.
"Marcus, let me see that.""
Marcus handed him the card.
Arthur examined it for several seconds.
Then he looked at me.
"Which bank?""
I didn't answer.
Evelyn folded her arms.
"Why are you being secretive? Your husband has every right to know about your finances.""
"Does he?""
"Of course.""
I held out my hand.
"Give me my card.""
Arthur didn't move.
Instead, he asked, "How much money is in that account?""
I stared at him.
The question was so direct that it almost made me laugh.
"Why do you want to know?""
"Because we're a family.""
"Then you should have asked before your son threw a dirty dishcloth at me.""
Evelyn slammed her magazine onto the table.
"That was a joke!""
I turned toward her.
"Was it?""
"Marcus was teaching you that this household has standards.""
"Apparently those standards involve throwing garbage at women.""
Marcus stepped between us.
"You're making this much worse than it needs to be.""
I reached for my handbag.
He pulled it away.
"Answer my father.""
I looked at Arthur.
"Why don't you tell me what you want?""
For the first time, his polite expression disappeared.
"Your father mentioned a financial arrangement yesterday.""
My heartbeat slowed.
There it was.
"What arrangement?""
"The trust.""
I said nothing.
Arthur continued.
"Marcus and I are preparing a business expansion. We thought it might be sensible to consolidate certain family assets.""
"Consolidate?""
"Your trust could be incorporated into a larger investment structure.""
I almost admired the audacity.
Less than twelve hours after marrying me, they were already discussing how to get control of my money.
"That's not happening.""
Marcus stepped closer.
"Don't be childish.""
I looked at him.
"Your father wants my money?""
"He wants to protect it.""
"From whom?""
Marcus opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
Evelyn rushed to his defense.
"Don't twist his words. Arthur has spent thirty years building this family. He understands money better than you ever will.""
"Then he should understand that my money is not available.""
Arthur stood.
His chair scraped across the marble floor.
"Young lady, don't make decisions you may regret.""
I picked up my handbag.
"I made one yesterday.""
Marcus looked confused.
"What decision?""
"Marrying you.""
The room fell silent.
Then the front doorbell rang.
Arthur glanced at his watch.
"Who's that?""
A moment later, the housekeeper appeared.
She was an older woman with silver hair pulled into a neat bun. I recognized her from the previous evening.
Her name was Mrs. Collins.
She looked uncomfortable.
"Mr. Sterling, there's a gentleman at the front door.""
Arthur frowned.
"Who?""
"Mr. Hayes.""
My father.
Marcus's expression changed immediately.
He straightened his shirt and forced a smile.
"Well, finally. Maybe he can explain to his daughter how marriage works.""
Evelyn adjusted her silk robe.
"Tell him we're having a family discussion.""
Mrs. Collins hesitated.
"He says he won't come in unless Miss Hayes is ready to leave.""
My father entered before anyone could respond.
He was wearing a navy business suit, his gray hair neatly combed, and his expression was unreadable.
He looked at my face.
Then at the damp strands of hair near my temple.
Then at the red mark on my cheek.
His eyes stopped on my bare ring finger.
"Sweetheart.""
I walked toward him.
He opened his arms, and I finally let myself breathe.
He held me for several seconds.
Then he turned toward Marcus.
"Which one of you threw something at my daughter?""
Marcus laughed awkwardly.
"Sir, it was a misunderstanding.""
My father looked at the filthy dishcloth still lying beside the sink.
"Interesting misunderstanding.""
Evelyn stepped forward.
"Daniel, please. We don't need to make a scene.""
My father turned toward her.
"You watched him do it?""
Evelyn lifted her chin.
"This is between a husband and wife.""
"Then perhaps you should have stayed out of it.""
Arthur cleared his throat.
"Daniel, let's be reasonable. Your daughter is emotional. She doesn't understand how our household operates.""
My father gave him a long look.
"I understand perfectly.""
He reached into his briefcase and removed a folder.
"Before we discuss anything else, I want to ask you one question.""
Arthur frowned.
"What?""
"Why did your company contact my daughter's bank this morning?""
Marcus froze.
Evelyn looked at her husband.
My father opened the folder and placed a printed document on the dining table.
Arthur glanced at it.
His face turned pale.
Because it wasn't a wedding document.
May you like
It was a bank authorization request.
And someone had already forged my signature.
