Chapter 2 - The Echo of the Bat**
The heavy wooden bat clattered against the sunlit hardwood floor, its echo vibrating through the grand living room.
Ethan stood breathing heavily over Samantha, his charcoal zip-up hoodie stretched tight as his fists remained clenched.
Samantha pushed herself up from the polished floor, brushing dark hair away from her face with a hand that trembled with pure rage.
"You put your hands on me in front of the child, Ethan?" Samantha hissed, her eyes narrowing into cold slits.
Maya buried her face deeper into Ethan's shoulder, her small yellow hoodie damp with tears as she whimpered uncontrollably.
Ethan didn't step back; he positioned his body as an unbreakable wall between his daughter and the woman in the burgundy turtleneck.
"Get out of my house, Samantha," Ethan commanded, his voice low, raspy, and dangerously steady.
Samantha let out a short, bitter laugh that lacked any real warmth or humor.
"Your house?" Samantha mocked, stepping closer until she was inches from his chest. "Check the land registry in the morning, darling, because my father's firm bought this deed three weeks ago."
Ethan felt a cold surge of dread sink into his stomach as Samantha adjusted her turtleneck with manicured hands.
May you like
"You have until midnight to sign the custody waiver, or I call the local sheriff," she whispered before turning on her heel.
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