Chapter 3 - The Uninvited Guests
I shoved the red folder deep into my oversized leather purse.
I quickly locked the bottom drawer and placed the key back behind the lamp.
By the time Mark opened the front door, I was casually organizing my father's collection of silk ties.
"What are you doing here alone?" Mark demanded, stepping into the bedroom.
His eyes immediately darted toward the desk, lingering there for a second too long.
"I am just picking out a suit for the funeral," I replied evenly.
Mark grabbed my arm with a grip that was entirely too tight.
"You need to come home right now because my mother is waiting to discuss the new house."
I pulled my arm away, refusing to show him how terrified I actually was.
"The funeral is tomorrow, Mark, and I am not discussing real estate right now."
He let out a sharp, cruel laugh that I had never heard from him before.
"We are discussing it today because I already put down a non-refundable deposit."
I stared at him in pure disbelief.
"You spent money we do not even have yet?" I asked.
"I took out a second mortgage on our house this morning," Mark said with a cold smile.
He casually mentioned that he had forged my signature on the electronic bank documents.
"You see, Clare, if you try to leave me now, you will drown in massive debt."
He leaned in close, his breath smelling faintly of peppermint and stale coffee.
"And if you do not cooperate at the lawyer's office tomorrow, I will make sure you lose absolutely everything."
I realized then that I was trapped in a financial hostage situation.
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But before I could speak, heavy footsteps echoed loudly from the hallway.
"Mark, did you find the safe yet?" Diane's voice called out greedily from the living room.
