Chapter 7 - The Confrontation In The Dark
I clicked on my industrial high-beam flashlight, aiming the blinding white beam straight into Margaret’s eyes. She gasped, shielding her face with her mink stole, stumbling backward against the foyer console.
“Turn that blasted light off, Eleanor!” Margaret barked, her voice shrill with indignant entitlement. “What is wrong with this house? Why is it freezing in here? Why haven't you fixed the power yet? Are you intentionally trying to make my son sick?”
“Your son gave you his entire paycheck, Margaret,” I said, keeping the beam locked firmly on her face. “If you want the lights on, you should have paid the four-hundred-and-fifty-dollar electric bill instead of buying designer handbags and funding Bradley’s illegal gambling debts.”
Bradley puffed out his chest, trying to look intimidating. “Hey! Watch your mouth about my business, Eleanor! You don't talk to my mom like that! This is my brother’s house, which means my family has a right to be here!”
“This is not your brother’s house, Bradley,” I stated with absolute finality. “This house belongs one hundred percent to Eleanor Vance. Your brother does not own the floorboards he is currently shivering on. And as of ten minutes ago, you are all officially trespassing on private property.”
Margaret let out an explosive, mocking screech. “Trespassing? Have you lost your mind, you barren, selfish witch? Alexander is your legal husband! Half of everything you own belongs to him by law! Tomorrow morning, I am taking him straight to the best divorce attorney in Chicago! We will take this entire mansion! We will take your cars! We will take your bank accounts! You will be left with nothing by the time we’re finished with you!”
Alexander suddenly stood up from the sofa. His voice was hoarse, cracking with utter terror. “Mom... shut up. Shut your mouth right now!”
Margaret turned to him, astonished. “Alexander! How dare you speak to your mother like that! I am fighting for your rights!”
“There are no rights, Mom!” Alexander screamed, clutching his hair with both hands, breaking down completely into hysterical tears. “There is no equity! There is no half of the house! She owns everything! The prenuptial agreement covers every single asset! If I file for divorce, I get zero! Do you understand me? ZERO!”
The room went dead silent. The only sound was the cold wind howling through the open front doors and Bradley’s heavy breathing.
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Margaret blinked, lowering her flashlight, her painted face sagging into an expression of pure, unadulterated shock. “What... what do you mean? You told me you were wealthy! You told me you were the primary earner!”
“I lied, Mom!” Alexander sobbed, collapsing back onto the sofa in absolute ruin. “I made ninety thousand a year until last month! Eleanor pays for everything! She pays for the food, the cars, the vacations, the clothes! Everything we showed you was paid for by her! And now she canceled it all because I gave you my paycheck!”
