“You cannot come into my house and threaten my family.”
I looked at the giant tree, the silver garland, the wrapped gifts, the waiters holding champagne trays, and then at my four children standing beside me in winter coats. Olivia held Ethan’s hand. Caleb tried to look brave. Noah leaned against my leg, too young to understand why the rich man in front of him looked like a ghost.
“Your family?”
My attorney, David Cross, opened his briefcase.
“My client has filed petitions for unpaid child support, hidden assets, fraud, and misrepresentation of marital status.”
Ashley turned sharply to Marcus.
“Marital status?”
Marcus closed his eyes. I answered before he could lie.
“It means Marcus married me first.”
The room exploded into whispers. A glass slipped from someone’s hand and shattered on the marble floor. Marcus muttered that it was complicated, but Ashley’s face changed.
“Were you still married to her when you proposed to me?”
