Chapter 5 - The Turnaround
Three months passed. The Seattle rain washed against the hospital windows, but inside, the sun was finally shining. Lily’s white blood cell counts were stabilizing. The cancer cells were retreating. Dr. Aris called it a miraculous response to the trial drugs.
She was sitting up in bed, drawing pictures of butterflies, her energy slowly returning.
Arthur Vance flew out to visit us. He walked into the room carrying a massive bouquet of balloons and a thick manila envelope.
“How’s my favorite girl?” Arthur asked, handing Lily a balloon shaped like a unicorn.
“I kicked the bad bugs’ butts!” Lily cheered, showing him her drawing.
Arthur smiled warmly, then turned to me. We stepped out into the hallway.
“The divorce is finalized,” Arthur said, handing me the envelope. “Because of the embezzlement charges, the judge granted you full custody. Marcus gets zero alimony, and he’s been ordered to pay restitution, though he’s entirely broke. He’s taking a plea deal for the fraud. Three years in minimum security.”
“And Chloe?” I asked, my voice devoid of emotion.
May you like
“She had the baby,” Arthur said, adjusting his glasses. “A boy. But Marcus isn't in the picture. The day before he surrendered to the authorities, he emptied whatever cash she had left in her purse and skipped town. The police caught him at a bus station two days later.”
I closed my eyes, letting out a long, shuddering breath. The nightmare was truly over. They had destroyed each other, just as I knew they would.
