Chapter 2 - The Envelope
Marcus stared at the card in my hand, his face draining of color.
He looked at Chloe, and for the first time, he saw the panic she couldn't hide.
"Chloe, did you do this?" he asked, his voice dangerously low.
"Of course not!" she shrieked, playing the victim perfectly.
"She's lying to ruin our special day, Marcus!"
"Why would I lie about being thrown out like garbage?" I asked quietly.
I reached into my clutch and pulled out the thick, cream-colored envelope.
"I stayed up late for four years, working double shifts at the diner, just to afford this."
"I wanted to give you the one thing you always dreamed of."
I handed the envelope to Marcus.
His hands shook as he broke the wax seal and pulled out the crisp legal documents.
He read the first page, and his breath hitched.
"The mountain cabin?" he whispered, tears springing to his eyes.
"You signed the deed over to me?"
"I was going to," I corrected him gently.
I took the envelope back from his trembling hands.
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"But a mother who doesn't count doesn't give away her family legacy to people who treat her like trash."
Chloe’s eyes widened in sheer horror as she realized what she had just lost.
