Chapter 7 - The Fall of the King
Ryan’s eyes darted wildly around the room. He looked at the cops, at the door, at Claire sobbing on the couch, and finally, at me.
The mask completely dropped. The charming, handsome executive I had married vanished, replaced by a snarling, desperate animal.
“You did this to yourself, Emily!” Ryan spat, stepping toward me. The officers instinctively reached for their belts, but I held up a hand to stop them. I wasn't afraid of him anymore.
“You always made me feel like less of a man!” he screamed, his face inches from mine. “It was always your company, your house, your money! You treated me like an employee! I deserved half of this empire! I earned it!”
“You earned nothing,” I said softly, staring dead into his eyes. “You are a parasite. You tried to murder the mother of your child for a paycheck.”
“He’s not even my real son!” Ryan sneered, glaring at Ethan.
That was the final straw.
I raised my hand and slapped him across the face with everything I had left. The sound cracked through the room like a gunshot.
Ryan stumbled back, touching his reddening cheek. For a split second, I saw violent rage flash in his eyes. He lunged forward, his hands reaching for my throat.
He didn't make it two steps.
Detective Miller tackled him to the hardwood floor, driving his knee into Ryan’s back. Another officer grabbed his arms, snapping the heavy steel handcuffs shut with a satisfying click.
“Ryan Vance,” Miller grunted, hauling him to his feet. “You are under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, and fraud. You have the right to remain silent, though I highly doubt you’re smart enough to use it.”
Across the room, Officer Davis had already handcuffed a weeping Claire.
“Emily, please!” Claire begged as she was dragged toward the front door. “I’m your sister! We’re blood! You can’t do this to me! I have nowhere to go!”
“You’re going to prison, Claire,” I said, not moving a single inch as they dragged her past me. “You’ll have a roof over your head for the next twenty years. Consider it my final act of charity.”
The police escorted them out. The flashing red and blue lights of the cruisers illuminated the glass front of my house, casting long, dancing shadows across the walls.
When the front door finally closed, the heavy, toxic energy that had infected my home seemed to vanish with them.
I dropped the cane. My legs gave out, the adrenaline finally crashing.
But I didn't hit the floor. Ms. Parker caught me, guiding me down to the sofa.
“Mom!”
Ethan ran across the room and threw his arms around my neck. He was crying, burying his face in my shoulder.
I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him tightly to my chest. I buried my face in his hair, breathing in the scent of him.
“I’m here, baby,” I whispered, tears finally streaming down my own face. “I’m here. It’s over. We’re safe.”
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“You didn’t sign the papers,” he mumbled into my shirt.
I laughed, a real, genuine laugh that hurt my ribs but healed my soul. “No, buddy. I didn’t sign the papers.”
