iting for my husband, Richard to return. Sleep eventually ove
pounding continued, heavy and urgent, rattling the front door. I sat up, startle
alled out, her voice
ing grew
line slowly approached the door and unlatch
ch
eled. Barely
she could even react, he vomited on her dress. Caroline gasped, tryin
ck. "What is wrong with you?
said
seconds, he passed out cold in our arms. Together, Caroline and I d
abbed my phone and cal
king his vitals, confirmed that there was no medical emergency. "He's simply heav
thank him, and when she returned,
round in confusion. "What are you doing in my r
day without a word. You didn't come home all night. Do you have an
Then, his face turned pale. His
"They claimed they were developing high-performance IQ application software that would be releas
chest. "What... what are you trying t
ything into that investment. I was promised triple returns. It all made sense at t
father. She took a step forward and placed a gentle hand on his should
othing left. Not even enough for legal fees. They disappeared. It was a ghos
spond, I couldn't h
ng sharply. "You won't give me money for my upkeep anym
r. He only look
med out of the room without another word. The door sl
oom, my mind racing. How could he?
anded. "Why did you talk to Daddy like that? Do you even realize how much he's hurting? Do you know wha
father! Don't be naïve," I snapped. "If not for money, would we be living in this beautiful ho
. I could see the hurt in
ing. "I said those things to your father to wake him up to make him realize he has
my heels echoing through the house,
ooked at him, I saw failure. I couldn't bring myself to speak kindly to him, to offer suppo
self, maybe even at me. Caroline noticed everything, the silence at dinner, the distance, the way he stared at his plate while
ped out of the bathroom. I wore a silk lingerie set, something I'd worn coun
es on me. The room was quiet, but thick with tension. When I sat on the
tly recoiled, shovin
n your feet," I snapped coldly, "you're he
turned quickly to anger. "What do you wa
my eyes. "Why don
of that name, h
ust for his money, but for his unshakable discipline and street-smart instincts. He was respected and feared in the busin
said bitterly. "He doesn't believe in charity. To
ed slowly, a sly smile
ice smooth and delibe
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