Part 3
The eviction notice was delivered at 9:00 a.m. the following day.
I did not arrive by myself.
Marissa came with me, along with two officers, a property manager, and a locksmith. Daniel opened the door in yesterday’s wrinkled shirt, his hair disheveled, his arrogance already beginning to fracture.
“You can’t just walk in,” he snapped.
Marissa handed him the papers. “Actually, she can.”
Evelyn stepped into view behind him in a silk robe, her face pale beneath flawless makeup. “This is harassment.”
“No,” I said, walking into the foyer. “Harassment was calling me barren in front of your family. Assault was your son slapping me. Fraud was using my money while telling everyone I contributed nothing.”
Daniel’s eyes flicked toward the officers. “It was one slap.”
One of the officers looked at my cheek, where the bruise was still faint.
Marissa’s voice turned cold. “And one recorded threat. And multiple witnesses. And security footage from the foyer.”
Evelyn went still.
Daniel slowly turned toward the camera above the staircase.
I had put those cameras in after Evelyn accused a maid of stealing earrings she had actually misplaced.
Funny how valuable truth became when cruel people forgot it was watching.
“You recorded us?” Daniel whispered.
“You performed beautifully,” I said.
His anger flared. “You ruined me.”
“No. I financed you. Protected you. Covered your debts. Paid your mother’s allowance. Saved your company twice.” I stepped closer, dropping my voice. “You ruined yourself the moment you mistook kindness for permission.”
Marissa opened another file.
“Effective immediately,” she said, “all financial support connected to Mrs. Carter’s private trust has ended. Mr. Carter’s company will receive notice of contract termination by close of business. Additionally, we are pursuing repayment for misused marital funds and damages related to assault.”
Evelyn clutched Daniel’s arm. “Do something!”
Daniel looked at me then, not like a husband, but like a man realizing the ground beneath him was disappearing.
