Chapter 5 - The Midnight Arrival
The clock in the hallway struck midnight,
each chime echoing like a tolling bell.
Clarissa was sitting in the dark of the living room,
a glass of water in her hand and her laptop open on her lap.
She heard the sound of a car pulling into the driveway,
the headlights sweeping across the walls.
Parker was home.
He entered the house quietly,
expecting to find her asleep or perhaps weeping in their bed.
He didn't see her sitting in the armchair until she spoke.
"The locks still work,"
she said,
her voice flat and hollow.
"I decided to give you one chance to tell the truth."
Parker jumped,
dropping his briefcase on the floor.
"Jesus,
Clarissa!"
"You scared the hell out of me."
He turned on the lamp,
squinting in the sudden light.
He looked tired,
his suit wrinkled from the flight.
"I’m not in the mood for games,"
he snapped.
"My mother is staying at a motel because of you."
"This ends now."
"You’re right,"
Clarissa agreed.
"It does end now."
She turned the laptop screen toward him,
hitting the play button on the recording from Wednesday night.
Parker watched in silence as his mother discussed the developer’s offer.
He watched as Ellie tripped Dustin.
His face didn't show shock.
It showed annoyance.
"So you found out,"
he said,
his voice devoid of remorse.
"It was a business decision,
Clarissa."
"This house is a money pit."
"We could have had a fresh start in Florida."
"A mansion,
private schools for Mason and Dustin."
"It was for everyone’s benefit."
Clarissa stood up,
the laptop sliding to the floor.
"For everyone’s benefit?"
"You watched your family abuse my son,"
"you planned to steal my property,"
"and you think a 'fresh start' justifies it?"
Parker stepped toward her,
his eyes narrowing.
"Don't be so dramatic."
"Kids are resilient."
"Dustin wouldn't even remember this in a year."
"But he’ll remember having a wealthy father."
"You’re not his father,"
Clarissa whispered,
the realization hitting her with the force of a tidal wave.
"You’re just a parasite who shared my bed."
"I want you out,
Parker."
"Now."
Parker laughed,
a cold,
ugly sound.
"And if I don't go?"
"What are you going to do?"
"I’ve already sent this footage to your boss,"
Clarissa said,
holding up her phone.
"And to the developer."
"And to a divorce attorney."
"If you aren't out of this house in ten minutes,"
"I’m hitting 'send' on the email to the local news."
"The 'Star Husband' of the year,"
"caught on camera orchestrating the abuse of a child."
"Think about your career,
Parker."
"Is it worth a two-million-dollar land deal that’s already dead?"
Parker’s face went pale,
the arrogance vanishing instantly.
He knew she wasn't bluffing.
He knew he had lost.
He didn't say a word.
He picked up his briefcase,
turned on his heel,
and walked out the door.
Clarissa watched his taillights disappear,
feeling a strange sense of peace.
May you like
The house was finally hers.
And the monster was gone.
