laughter and music spilling out from inside. I stood there for a moment, my heart pounding, before the door swung open. Marcus’s eyes widened in surprise, and for a brief moment, I saw a flash of guilt before he gathered himself.
“Mom!
What a surprise,” he said, attempting a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Behind him, Rebecca approached, her gaze flickering between me and Marcus.
“Ruth, we weren’t expecting you,” she said, an edge to her voice. “I wanted to see my family,” I replied, pushing past the awkwardness.
I stepped inside and was greeted by the sight of a lavish party.
Friends and family were mingling, a buffet spread lined the dining table, and the decorations shouted anything but financial distress. Marcus fumbled through an explanation, something about a sudden windfall from Rebecca’s freelance work. But his words were hollow, and the betrayal was as clear as the crystal glasses they were holding.
What happened next changed everything…
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