Chapter 6 - THE RETURN FLIGHT TO BOULDER: WHEN MIAMI SUNSHINE MEETS COLORADO REALITY
The first-class cabin of Flight 1422 from Miami International to Denver International Airport was cool, quiet, and smelled faintly of roasted almonds and expensive perfume.
Luca Hails stretched his long legs out into the legroom space, sliding his designer sunglasses down his nose as he scrolled through his investment portfolio on his iPad.
Beside him, his mother, Wendy, was busy flipping through a glossy interior design magazine, pausing every few minutes to point out various chandeliers and marble countertops that she intended to install in the master wing of Redwood Crest Drive once my name was finally scrubbed from the property tax assessments.
“Stephanie managed to find a wonderful landscape architect in Scottsdale who specializes in Mediterranean courtyards,” Wendy murmured, not looking up from her magazine. “We can rip out those boring aspen trees by the front fountain and replace them with imported olive trees. It will give the estate much more gravitas.”
Luca smirked, tapping the screen of his tablet. “Jessi is probably still sulking at her sister’s place, realizing she can't outsmart me. She thought her corporate money made her bulletproof, but she forgot that marriage is a partnership—and when the husband takes charge, the wife falls in line.”
Stephanie, sitting across the aisle in seat 4C, leaned over and chuckled. “Make sure she knows her place, Luca. If she gives us any attitude about the olive trees, just threaten to cut off her access to the family car again.”
The siblings shared a quiet, smug laugh, completely basking in the warm, arrogant delusion that they had successfully conquered the woman who had spent years funding their lavish lifestyle.
The flight attendant’s smooth voice interrupted their daydreaming over the cabin intercom.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have begun our final descent into Denver International Airport. The local time is 3:45 PM, and the weather is a cool, crisp fifty-two degrees. Thank you for flying with us today.”
Luca closed his iPad, slipped it into his leather briefcase, and felt a sudden surge of impatient excitement.
He couldn't wait to see the look on my face when he arrived back at the estate with his mother and sister, ready to lay down the new rules of the household.
May you like
He assumed I would be waiting on the front porch with my bags packed, humbled and ready to beg for his forgiveness.
He had no idea that the front porch he was returning to no longer belonged to him, to his family, or to any dreams of olive trees.
Related Stories
