Chapter 9 - The Brother's Betrayal
Eleanor pulled her phone out with shaking hands, dialing her youngest son Marcus's cell phone number.
She placed the call on speakerphone so Julian could hear, praying for a lifeline from the boy she had protected.
After four long rings, Marcus answered, the background noise filled with loud music and construction work.
"Hey, Mom," Marcus said casually. "Did Julian send the next twenty-five grand? The pool contractor needs a deposit."
"Marcus... listen to me," Eleanor sobbed into the receiver. "We are in trouble! Julian lost his job!"
"Evelyn found out about the house in Ohio and froze all our bank accounts! We are stranded in Manhattan with nothing!"
There was a long, heavy pause on the other end of the line before Marcus's tone shifted from casual to icy cold.
"What do you mean she found out?" Marcus asked, his voice laced with sudden, sharp hostility.
"She took everything back, Marcus!" Eleanor cried. "You need to wire us ten thousand dollars so we can get a hotel!"
"Are you crazy, Mom?" Marcus snapped back, his voice echoing loudly through the speakerphone.
"If I send you money from the house account, her lawyers will tie up my property in a federal lawsuit!"
"I can't risk my home for you and Julian! Don't call this number again until your legal drama is cleared up!"
The call disconnected abruptly with a sharp click, leaving the dial tone buzzing in the freezing Manhattan rain.
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Julian stared at the phone in complete shock, realizing his brother had used him and thrown him away like garbage.
Eleanor collapsed back onto the park bench, weeping hysterically as her golden family vision shattered into pieces.
