Chapter 11 - Checkmate
"You called the police?!" my mother screamed, half-rising from the booth.
"You didn't leave me a choice," I replied coldly. "You tried to get me fired this morning."
Natalie stared at me, sheer terror finally replacing her arrogance.
"Ellie, no. You can't. That's a felony."
"You should have thought about that before you put me by the trash," I said.
My father grabbed my arm. His grip was tight and painful.
"Call them off," he threatened, his eyes wild. "Call them off right now, or I swear to God—"
"Or what?" I challenged, not breaking eye contact. "You'll hurt me? You'll let your casino friends do it?"
"Let go of her," a deep voice interrupted.
Marcus stepped out from the booth behind us. He had been sitting there the whole time.
My father dropped my arm like it burned him.
"Everything you just said is recorded," Marcus said, tapping his own phone. "And the authorities already have the wire transfer evidence. I suggest you go home and wait for a knock on the door."
My mother started to cry. Real tears this time.
"Eleanor, please. We're your family."
I looked at the three of them.
They looked pathetic. Small, desperate, and toxic.
"You stopped being my family a long time ago," I said.
I turned and walked out of the diner.
Marcus followed me out into the crisp evening air.
May you like
"You okay?" he asked, walking me to my car.
"Yeah," I breathed, feeling lighter than I had in twenty-eight years. "I'm perfectly fine."
