Chapter 1 - THE CANE
The wooden cane hit Claire Donovan across the upper arm before she understood Mark had actually decided to use it.
Pain shot through her shoulder.
She recoiled and immediately covered her seven-month pregnant belly with both hands.
Mark Hayes lifted the cane again.
“SELL THE HOUSE!”
Claire stared at him.
Not because she had never seen him angry.
Because until that morning she had still believed there was a line he would not cross.
He slammed the cane into the hallway wall beside her.
“SIGN IT OVER. TODAY!”
A framed family photograph jumped on its hook.
The old grandfather clock ticked behind them.
Claire grabbed the property papers from Mark’s hand and tore them away.
“THIS HOUSE IS MINE!”
Jessica Hayes stepped forward.
Black dress.
Perfect hair.
No shame.
She picked Claire’s keys off the console table and held them up.
“Not for much longer.”
Claire snatched them back.
Mark grabbed her wrist.
“You have NOTHING without me!”
Claire ripped free.
“Take your hands off me.”
Jessica pointed toward the front door.
“Throw her out.”
Mark raised the cane again.
Then the front door slammed open.
Three men entered.
Ethan Donovan first.
Ryan beside him.
Cole behind them.
All three in dark business suits.
Ethan moved between Claire and Mark.
Ryan knocked the cane down from Mark’s hand.
“STEP AWAY FROM OUR SISTER.”
Mark froze.
Jessica’s smile disappeared.
Mark pointed toward Claire.
“THIS IS MY HOUSE!”
Cole pulled out his phone.
“Not anymore.”
Mark frowned.
Ryan looked at him.
“Freeze everything.”
Mark went pale.
Claire stared at her brothers.
“Freeze what?”
Cole looked at her.
“The sale.”
Mark’s face changed.
Then Ethan said:
“And the accounts he was going to use after it closed.”
Claire looked at Mark.
“What sale?”
The hallway became silent.
Cole held up his phone.
“Closing was scheduled for Friday.”
May you like
Claire stared at the property papers in her hand.
Today was Wednesday.
