Chapter 3 - The Dangerous Debt
The sheer terror in my husband's voice made the blood freeze in my veins.
I pushed Maddie and Mason behind me, shielding them from the man who was supposed to be their stepfather.
"Who was going to kill you, Evan?" I demanded, keeping my voice as steady as possible.
Evan sank onto the living room sofa and buried his face in his trembling hands.
"I lost my corporate job eight months ago," he sobbed, unable to look at my children.
"I was too ashamed to tell you, so I borrowed money from a private equity group to keep up appearances."
My mind raced as I tried to process the massive web of lies he had been spinning.
"How much money did you borrow?" I asked, dreading the answer.
"Two million dollars," he choked out, wiping tears from his pale face.
The number echoed in the quiet living room like a physical blow to my chest.
"I could not pay the monthly interest, so the lenders threatened to come after you and the kids," Evan explained.
"My mother offered to pay off the dangerous men in exchange for the rights to this land."
I stared at him in absolute disgust, realizing how incredibly weak he truly was.
"You forged my signature on a land lease to save your own skin," I realized aloud.
"I did it to protect this family from monsters," Evan argued, standing up defensively.
"The only monster in this house is you," I snapped, pointing toward the front door.
"Pack your things and get out of my sight before I call the police back."
Evan shook his head frantically and grabbed my arm.
"You do not understand, Sarah," he pleaded desperately.
"My mother never actually paid off the debt."
He pointed a shaking finger toward the large bay window facing the street.
"She took the lease and tipped off the lenders about where I was hiding."
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I looked out the window and saw three black, unmarked SUVs pull up to my curb.
Four massive men in dark suits stepped out of the vehicles and walked purposefully toward my front porch.
