Chapter 4 - The Pathetic Ultimatum
Claire walked gracefully back down the grand staircase, carrying her single leather tote bag.
Evan was waiting for her in the foyer, nervously wringing his hands. He looked at the small bag and let out a heavy sigh of relief, genuinely believing he had somehow managed to keep both his mother and his wife happy.
"Claire, look, I know this is sudden," Evan whispered, glancing over his shoulder to make sure Diane couldn't hear him apologizing. "But Lauren is pregnant. They need the space. You can go stay at the Four Seasons downtown for a few weeks, and I'll look for a luxury condo for us. I'll pay for everything."
Claire looked at the man she had loved for five years.
He was pathetic. He was completely willing to throw his wife out of her own home just to avoid a single argument with his mother.
"You don't need to look for a condo, Evan," Claire replied softly. Her brown eyes were completely dead, locking onto his nervous face. "You and your family deserve to be in this house together."
Evan smiled, reaching out to hug her. "Thank you, baby. You're the best. I promise I'll make this up to you."
Claire didn't hug him back. She stepped smoothly out of his reach.
"Enjoy the lake view, Evan," Claire said quietly.
May you like
She turned around, opened the heavy mahogany front doors, and walked out into the cool evening air without looking back a single time.
👉 Claire got into her car, and the single phone call she made would permanently destroy her husband's life.
