Chapter 2 - The Green Portfolio
The heavy silence inside the dimly lit master bedroom felt heavier than the stainless steel stockpot resting on the silk sheets.
Carter stood frozen in the doorway, his eyes darting between the dented headboard and his mother's trembling, accusatory finger.
"Tell her to get out of my house, Carter!" Evelyn demanded, her voice shrill as she adjusted the collar of her plum velvet robe.
Chloe didn't flinch; she simply opened the dark green leather portfolio and rested it squarely on her lap.
"This house doesn't belong to you, Evelyn," Chloe said, her voice dropping to a terrifying, quiet calm.
"In fact, it doesn't even belong to Carter."
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Carter's face went completely drain of color as he took a step back toward the hallway where the framed US flag hung on the wall.
"Chloe, please don't do this here," Carter pleaded in a desperate, breathy whisper.
