Chapter 4 - THE ARREST OF THE IMPOSTER
Elena was dragged through the kitchen doorway in handcuffs, her crimson red silk robe trailing along the floor.
"You're ruining our family over a couple of chores, Mark! You'll regret this by morning!" Elena spat viciously.
"You were never part of this family, Elena... you were just a parasite wearing my late wife's wedding ring," Mark retorted coldly.
The officers escorted her out to the flashing red and blue patrol car waiting in the circular driveway.
Mark stood on the front porch with Lily and the baby, watching the cruiser tail-lights disappear down the suburban street.
The cool evening breeze carried the scent of autumn pine trees, contrasting sharply with the chaos inside the house.
"Come on, kids... let's pack some clothes and go stay at your aunt's house tonight," Mark said gently.
Lily wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her khaki shorts, nodding slowly as she held her baby brother's tiny hand.
The grand mansion felt strangely empty and quiet now, stripped of the toxic tension that had poisoned it for months.
May you like
Mark locked the heavy front double doors, sliding his gold house key into his pocket with a definitive click.
***
