Chapter 3 - The Countdown Begins
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Gloria stepped forward and aggressively grabbed my chin, her manicured fingers pinching my jawline so hard I felt my teeth grind together. Her eyes were wide, manic, and completely consumed by her own manufactured sense of power.
"Tomorrow morning, you are going to sign the transfer papers," she commanded, her breath hot against my face. "Half of the equity in this house goes to Marcus to help his business. Half of the savings accounts go to Tessa. Daniel won't know a single thing until it's completely finished, and if you try to tell him, we will convince him you lost your mind while he was away."
Just as she issued her ultimatum, my phone vibrated in the pocket of my slacks.
A single, distinct buzz.
I knew exactly who it was. I didn't need to look at the screen, but I subtly shifted my weight and glanced down anyway.
One message. From Daniel.
Landing early. Ten minutes away. Don't react. I'm bringing witnesses.
A calm, icy wave of adrenaline washed over my entire body. I reached up, gently but firmly prying Gloria's fingers off my jaw. I wiped a fresh drop of blood from my split lip, my eyes never leaving hers.
"You really should leave before he gets home," I said quietly, keeping my voice incredibly level.
Marcus burst out laughing, a loud, obnoxious sound that echoed off the high ceiling. He slapped his knee, highly amused by what he thought was a pathetic bluff.
"Or what?" Marcus challenged, standing up from the couch and sauntering over to join his mother and sister. "You're going to tell on us? You're going to cry to a man who is thousands of miles away?"
Tessa smirked, rolling her eyes.
"Daniel worships his family, Claire," she mocked, using a sickly-sweet tone. "He'll never believe a word you say over us. You're just the wife. We are his blood."
Gloria folded her arms triumphantly across her chest. "You've always been overly dramatic. It's embarrassing."
I glanced toward the large front window, watching the streetlights flicker in the evening gloom.
May you like
Eight minutes.
I almost felt a fleeting pang of sorrow for them. Almost. Because none of these arrogant, entitled monsters had any idea what Daniel and I had spent the last thirty days meticulously preparing in the dark.
