Chapter 2: The Papers Brenda Never Expected
Brenda stared at Marcus as though he had just committed the greatest betrayal imaginable.
"You'd throw your own mother out?" she demanded, clutching the pearls around her neck. "After everything I've done for you?"
Marcus didn't raise his voice.
"What exactly have you done for me this week?"
Silence.
He looked toward the kitchen, where Maya struggled to calm Lily's fever while trying not to cry.
"My pregnant wife has been cooking."
He pointed toward the overflowing trash.
"Cleaning."
Then toward the sofa.
"And serving two perfectly healthy adults."
Rachel rolled her eyes.
"Oh, please. Maya likes taking care of people."
For the first time, Maya looked up.
"No," she whispered.
Everyone turned toward her.
"I've been asking for help since the first day you arrived."
Her voice cracked.
"I haven't slept more than three hours a night because Lily has been sick."
She swallowed hard.
"I asked Brenda to watch Lily for twenty minutes so I could shower."
Brenda scoffed.
"I was resting."
"I asked Rachel if she could pick up medicine."
Rachel shrugged.
"I already had plans."
Marcus closed his eyes for a brief moment.
When he opened them again, the warmth was gone.
Without another word, he took out his phone.
Brenda smiled smugly.
"Calling your lawyer already?"
"No."
Marcus continued typing.
"I'm sending notice to my attorney to begin removing both of you from every property access list."
Rachel laughed.
"You can't be serious."
"I already am."
Seconds later his phone buzzed.
His attorney had replied.
Done.
Marcus turned the screen around.
May you like
"As of this moment, neither of you has permission to enter this house again after today."
Brenda's confident smile disappeared.
