Chapter 2 - The Dark Motel
I stared at the glowing screen while the heavy rain pounded against the windshield.
My breathing grew shallow and rapid as pure panic began to set in.
Grant had not only broken our family, but he had actively planned to leave me completely destitute.
I reached into my wet coat pocket and pulled out my physical leather wallet.
I counted exactly two hundred and forty dollars in loose cash.
It was enough to survive for maybe two days if we ate cheap fast food.
I drove to the worst part of town and found a rundown motel with a flickering neon sign.
I paid the grumpy clerk in cash and led my exhausted children into the dingy room.
Lily helped me change Grace into dry pajamas while Ethan sat silently on the edge of the stained bed cover.
Once the children were finally asleep, I sat on the bathroom floor and cried into a dirty towel.
I could not understand why my own flesh and blood had turned their backs on me.
My phone vibrated silently on the sink counter.
It was a text message from my brother Daniel.
The message said he was incredibly sorry, but our father had forbidden anyone from helping me.
I typed back a furious response, demanding to know why our father would protect a cheating monster like Grant.
Daniel replied a minute later, and the words on the screen made my blood run cold.
Grant did not just cheat on you, Becca.
May you like
He made a massive corporate deal with Dad's investment firm last week.
If Dad helps you with the divorce, Grant will pull the contract and send our entire family into federal bankruptcy.
