Chapter 3

I exhaled deeply, tapping open the video Megan had forwarded.

Every evening before I returned home from work, a shadowy figure would slip out our front door. He'd pause provocatively in front of the doorbell camera, flaunting panties of various styles and colors like trophies.

Two days were too long. I wanted to expose them all immediately.

At the dinner checkout, the server informed me my card was bone-dry.

For years, the Potters had micromanaged my finances with an iron fist, claiming it prevented reckless investments. In truth, it was a measure against my rising above my station.

Martha doled out my allowance monthly, her mood dictating the amount.

Since the lock swap, my account had gathered dust.

The next morning, I set out early to collect my belongings.

Before I could even breach the gates, a group of gossipy women pointed their fingers at me.

"Isn't that the married-in son-in-law of the Potter family?"

"That's him, the spineless freeloader who snagged a wealthier woman and dumped his wife."

"Poor Martha, battling sickness from childbirth and now suffering this betrayal. What a tragedy!"

They pelted me with sunflower seed shells, their venomous remarks echoing down the street.

I wheeled around, ready to fire back, when a sugary voice cut through. "Honey!"

A Porsche pulled up, revealing Martha inside.

"I knew you'd swing by," she continued. "I bought you a new tie. Come home with me and try it on."

Expressionless, I climbed into the back seat and glanced at the tie.

The flashy label glared back at me. I grabbed it and flicked it out the window without a second thought.

Martha's lips parted, but she clamped them shut, swallowing her words.

"Good lord! That must've cost a pretty penny."

"And he just threw it away?"

The women outside scrambled like vultures to claim the discarded luxury.

"Drive," I said, gesturing toward the garage.

Martha simmered in silence but complied, trailing me up to the front door.

The lock clicked open, revealing Sean in the living room. He was gently swaying the baby's stroller.

Martha paled, stammering, "Dr. Lynch is here for my scheduled therapy session."

I brushed past their awkward tableau, heading straight to the bedroom to retrieve my mother's heirloom bracelet, which Martha no longer deserved.

Sean wheeled the stroller into my path, a grin playing at his lips. "I'm glad you found your way back. The baby needs her father. Come say hi."

He tugged at my arm toward the stroller. I shrugged him off, but he latched on again.

My patience snapped, and I shoved him aside. "Back off!"

Dashing into the room, I rifled through the nightstand drawer and snatched the bracelet.

Sean tailed me, swiping for the heirloom but grasping air.

"Hands off my family treasure!" I growled, pushing him back.

In a flash, Sean's pained yelps and the baby's terrified shrieks echoed through the room.

He lay sprawled on the floor beside the toppled stroller.

Martha burst in at the commotion, surveying the wreckage and roaring at me. "If my daughter so much as bruises from this, I'll make you pay dearly."

She scooped up the baby, inspecting every inch with frantic urgency.

"This is my fault," Sean piped up. "I figured the baby was pining for her dad, but he couldn't care less. He just shoved us aside."