Chapter 6 - Four Black SUVs
The following morning, my father arrived at the cabin with Marlene and Brielle.
Marlene looked at my borrowed sweater and muddy boots.
“Tessa, look at yourself.”
I smiled faintly.
“For the first time in years, I actually recognize myself.”
Dad stepped forward.
“Come home.”
I shook my head.
“Yesterday I didn’t have a home.”
Marlene interrupted.
“This ridiculous marriage is over. We’ll pay him whatever we promised.”
She pulled an envelope from her purse and tossed it near Silas’s feet.
“Take it and disappear.”
Silas didn’t even look down.
“Pick that up.”
Marlene laughed.
Then we heard engines.
Four black SUVs appeared between the trees.
They stopped outside the cabin.
A man wearing a dark suit stepped from the first vehicle and walked directly toward Silas.
“Everything is ready, Mr. Rowe. The board is waiting for your authorization.”
My father’s face lost its color.
“Rowe?”
He stared at Silas.
“Silas Rowe… Northstar Meridian?”
“Yes.”
Brielle slowly lowered her phone.
Marlene’s expression changed almost instantly.
“Tessa, sweetheart, why didn’t you tell us who your husband was?”
I nearly laughed.
She hadn’t called me sweetheart in years.
“Because I didn’t know either.”
Marlene stepped closer.
“Then this can all be fixed. We’re family.”
I looked at her.
“You chose him because you thought marrying him would punish me.”
“I only wanted someone hardworking for you.”
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“You can change your explanation now. You can’t change your intention then.”
For once, she had nothing to say.
