I CONFRONTED MARISSA THAT NIGHT
We were standing in the kitchen of the little house we had bought together in Bellmere.
I threw the folder onto the counter.
Marissa opened it.
Her face changed immediately.
“Ethan…”
“Explain.”
She looked through the photographs.
Then the bank statements.
“I don’t know what this is.”
“Don’t.”
“I’m serious.”
Her voice cracked.
“I’ve never seen that man before.”
“What about the money?”
“I didn’t withdraw eleven thousand dollars.”
“Your authorization is right there.”
“That isn’t mine.”
“My own stepfather brought this to me.”
Marissa looked up.
Then said the sentence I refused to hear.
“Then Thomas is lying to you.”
I pulled away when she reached toward me.
“Don’t touch me.”
“Ethan, please.”
“Stop.”
“Look at me.”
Her eyes filled.
“I would never do this to you.”
“Or us.”
“Stop calling me like nothing happened.”
“Nothing did happen!”
I pointed toward the hallway.
“Pack your things.”
She froze.
“What?”
“I want you out by morning.”
