Chapter 2 - The Family Rules
Brenda spoke as if she were explaining table manners.
“Marriage requires sacrifice.”
I stayed near the window.
“Whose sacrifice?”
She ignored the question.
“Derek carries this family.”
That almost made me laugh.
According to Derek, Caldwell Family Holdings owned restaurants, real estate, and several commercial properties.
He had spent two years convincing me his family was wealthy.
Now his mother was sitting between me and the door demanding three million dollars.
“Then why does he need my money?”
Brenda’s eyes narrowed.
“He doesn’t need it.”
“Then I won’t sign.”
“You’re being childish.”
“And you’re holding me inside a locked room.”
Her expression barely changed.
“You’re emotional.”
“No.”
“You’re embarrassed.”
“No.”
“You’re confused.”
I smiled.
“Actually, this is the clearest I’ve felt since yesterday.”
Someone knocked.
Brenda unlocked the door.
Derek entered.
Behind him stood his uncle Frank and his older cousin Michael.
Two men.
One doorway.
No accident.
Derek tossed my passport onto the dresser.
“You can have that back when you stop behaving like you’re single.”
I stared at him.
“Open the door and let me leave.”
“After we talk.”
“We’re talking now.”
“After you listen.”
Michael looked uncomfortable.
Frank did not.
Frank leaned against the wall.
“Young couples fight.”
“This isn’t a fight.”
Derek snapped.
“Stop making everything dramatic.”
I pulled out my phone.
“I’d like to leave.”
His gaze dropped to it.
“Give me the phone.”
“No.”
“Chloe.”
“No.”
He lunged.
I stepped backward.
Brenda shouted.
Michael grabbed Derek’s arm.
“Come on, man.”
The room froze.
For the first time, one of the twenty-two relatives had interfered.
Derek slowly looked at Michael.
“What did you just do?”
Michael released him.
“I said calm down.”
Brenda stood.
“This is family business.”
Michael looked at me.
Then he looked away.
That tiny moment told me everything.
Some of them knew this was wrong.
They were simply too afraid to challenge Brenda and Derek.
My phone vibrated.
A text from Rebecca appeared.
Sheriff en route. Twelve minutes.
I locked the screen before Derek could read it.
He pointed toward the agreement.
“Last chance.”
“No.”
“Then don’t blame me for what happens next.”
He walked out.
Frank followed.
Michael lingered.
Brenda was already returning to her chair when Michael quietly dropped something beside my suitcase.
A tiny brass key.
Then he left.
Brenda never noticed.
I did.
Ten minutes later, the distant sound of a vehicle came through the window.
Brenda heard it too.
She stood.
Derek shouted from downstairs.
Someone hurried toward the front entrance.
Then I heard Brenda whisper something that made my blood turn cold.
“He called them too early.”
Not they’re here.
Not who called the police.
May you like
He called them too early.
As if someone had always expected law enforcement to become part of the plan.
