Chapter 4 - THE FATHER'S RETURN
My father, Marcus, had been in Chicago on a corporate business trip for the past week.
He always traveled for work, leaving me alone with Valerie for weeks at a time.
The next morning, the loud roar of his expensive sports car pulling into Grandpa’s driveway woke me up.
I peeked through the blinds and saw my father storming up the front walkway, looking absolutely furious.
Valerie was walking right behind him, holding a tissue to her face and playing the role of the terrified, victimized stepmother.
She had clearly called him the night before, spinning a completely fabricated web of lies to protect herself.
Grandpa Silas opened the front door before Marcus could even knock.
"Where is she, Silas?" Marcus demanded, trying to push past his father into the house.
Grandpa stood his ground, crossing his massive arms over his chest and blocking the doorway completely.
"She is inside, safe from the monster you married," Grandpa replied coldly.
Marcus let out an exasperated sigh, running a frustrated hand through his styled hair.
"Dad, stop being so dramatic, Valerie told me everything," Marcus said, rolling his eyes.
"She caught the kid sneaking out, they had an argument, and you swooped in like some vigilante."
Valerie sniffled loudly, leaning her head against my father's shoulder to complete the illusion.
"She pushed me, Marcus," Valerie lied smoothly, her voice dripping with fake innocence.
"I tried to stop her from running away, and she got violent with me."
Grandpa stared at Valerie with a look of absolute, unadulterated disgust.
"You are a very good liar, Valerie, I will give you that," Grandpa said, his voice terrifyingly calm.
"But you made one massive mistake."
Marcus frowned, looking confused by his father’s unwavering confidence.
"What are you talking about?" Marcus asked, his irritation slowly giving way to uncertainty.
Grandpa stepped aside and motioned for my father to come inside the house.
"Come inside, Marcus, and leave your lying wife on the porch," Grandpa ordered.
Valerie’s eyes widened in sudden panic, and she grabbed my father’s arm tightly.
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"Don't go in there, Marcus, they are just going to manipulate you!" she cried desperately.
Marcus gently pulled his arm away from her grip, his brow furrowed in suspicion as he stepped into the house alone.
