Chapter 6 - The Ultimatum
Ryan looked at Linda, who was staring at him with confusion, then glanced at the police cruiser idling on the street. His arrogance vanished, replaced by the sheer, sniveling panic of a cornered rat.
"Margaret, please," he whispered, stepping closer, his hands held up in surrender. "Don't do that. It was a mistake. I was in over my head... I was going to pay it back once my new venture took off!"
"There is no new venture, Ryan. There is only your addiction and your cowardice," I replied. "Here is my deal. You will sign a full waiver of any financial claims against Emily. You will agree to an uncontested legal separation immediately, and you will surrender your claim to any joint accounts. You take your mother, you get into that truck, and you disappear."
"What about Emily?" he choked out. "She’s my wife! She won't leave me!"
"Let’s see about that," I said, turning toward the porch where Emily was still sitting, shivering in her winter coat, listening to every single word.
She slowly walked down the steps, the tears on her cheeks freezing in the wind. She looked at the manila folder in my hands, then looked at Ryan’s pale, trembling face. The veil had finally been ripped away. For six years, she had defended him, made excuses for him, and blamed herself for their financial ruin. Now, the cold reality of his betrayal was laid bare in front of her.
"Ryan... is that true?" she asked, her voice cracking. "You tried to steal my mother’s house? You told me the partners stole your equity!"
"Emily, baby, listen to me," Ryan stammered, reaching for her arm. "I did it for us! I was trying to win back what we lost so we could buy our own place!"
Emily stepped back, dodging his touch as if his skin were toxic. She looked at his mother, Linda, who was looking down at her boots, completely aware of her son’s crimes. Linda had known all along. She had come to Elm Street not as a guest, but to help her son secure his stolen prize.
"You used me," Emily whispered, a look of profound horror washing over her face. "You made me choose between you and my own mother, knowing you were stealing from her behind our backs."
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"Emily, don't be stupid!" Linda snapped from her lawn chair, dropping her fake sweet persona. "You have two kids! You think you can survive on your own? Ryan is your husband! A good wife stands by her man!"
"Shut up, Linda," Emily said firmly, her voice suddenly finding a strength I hadn't heard since she was a young girl. "Just shut your mouth."
