tell Garrett everything–Dad’s gambling, Marlena’s abandonment, Uncle Zander’s lles. Every single detail.
te listens carefully, his face getting darker by the minute.
What did you say? She dumped you at a train station?”
Yeah. I waited for her for three days and nights.”
Jarrett’s hands clench into fists.
he next day, he sends people to investigate my hometown.
thought he was just going through the motions, but he’s dead serious about this.
he truth unravels like peeling an onion, layer by layer.
Marlena’s perfect background is completely fake.
he was never some college professor–she worked as a hostess at nightclubs.
ler widowed single mom story? Total BS. My dad isn’t dead–she just dumped him.
What pisses me off most is Uncle Zander.
he investigation shows Marlena paid him fifty grand to testify that I’m mentally ill.
he wire transfer is crystal clear, dated exactly one week before the hearing.
My own uncle was ready to have me committed to a psych ward for fifty thousand bucks,
inally, when Garrett comes home with the investigation report.
hide outside the door, listening to their conversation.
Marlena, you better explain this to me.”
Garrett, just listen…”
How long were you planning to keep lying to me?” Garrett’s voice is ice cold. “A nightclub hostess? This is your college professor identity?”
Cariena starts crying I only said that because I wanted to be worthy of you. I love you, I really love you ”
Love per Gartent laughs bitterly “You used my son against your own daughter–that’s your idea of love?”
I had no disse he would’ve ruined everything for ust
You used it yourself
bear something getting smashed
You know what I hate most? Les Garretts voice is shaking “My ex wife left me because she led to me, and now you”
Marlena’s trying gets kouder “I was wrong. I was so wrong Please give ine one more chance?
“A Chance? You Imrned a five year old child with cigarettes–what kind of chance do you deserve?
1 touch the scar below my sadlarlane, tears streaming down my face
The best day, Gartell freezes all of Marlenas bank accounts and assets.
Martens goes totally paycho, rushing at me It’s all you! You little batch ruined everything for me!
She tries to hit me, but Garrett stops her
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Chapter 6
“Enough!” He shoves Marlena away. “Pack your shit and get out of my house.”
Marlena stares at him in disbelief: “Garrett, you can’t do this to me. We’ve been married for three years–I’ve given so much to this family…”
“Given? All you gave us were lies and deception.”
Garrett turns to me: “You’re the victim here. This house will always be open to you.”
I look at Marlena–overnight, she’s gone from wealthy socialite back to having absolutely nothing.
Her designer bags are thrown on the floor, her perfect makeup is streaked with tears, her hair’s a mess.
Even Brighton can’t look at her.
He’s hiding by the stairs, his eyes full of fear and disgust.
Mom, why did you do this?”
Marlena tries to hug him, but Brighton steps back.
You’re not my mom. My mom wouldn’t burn little kids with cigarettes.”
Marlena completely breaks down.
she falls to her knees, grabbing Brighton’s legs while sobbing: “Brighton, Mommy was wrong, Mommy was so wrong.”
Brighton pulls away from her: “Just leave. I don’t want to see you anymore.”
ecurity drags Marlena out of the Sinclair mansion.
the looks back at the villa one last time, her eyes full of resentment and poison.
but all of this is her own doing.
stand at the window, watching her pathetic retreat.
wenty years, and I finally got to see this day.
but Marlena refuses to accept defeat…
22:22
