“You’re useless to me now, Emily,” Jason continued. He possessed a chronic, nervous tremor whenever he was executing a lie, and I watched his left thumb twitch against the paper. “You did exactly what you were good for. The debt is clear. I’m starting fresh. Now, get your remaining things and get out.”
Linda took a deliberate, high-heeled step forward, dropping a roll of tape onto the counter with a loud clatter. “It’s truly for the best, Emily. You must see that. Jason requires someone… significantly more supportive. Someone who fundamentally understands how to build a legacy, not just hoard money.”
Brooke shifted her weight, a smirk playing at the corners of her glossy lips. She traced the rim of my mug with a manicured nail. “Let’s not make this messy, Em. The boxes are right there. Have some dignity and leave quietly.”
A tiny, razor-sharp spark of genuine amusement ignited in my chest. The audacity was so astronomical it bordered on the surreal.
“So,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper, slicing through their arrogance. “The grand strategy is to forcefully eject me from the premises less than twenty-four hours after I supposedly save you from financial ruin? While your mistress wears my clothes?”
