Chapter 3 - The Ghost at the Table
Callie walked back into the dining room.
She looked radiant, her eyes glittering with a dangerous light.
Her parents were enjoying the main course, oblivious to the carnage.
"Dustin," she said, her voice like silk.
He looked up, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
"Yeah, honey?"
"Come here. I want you to see something."
He stood up quickly, walking over to the table.
He looked at the ribeye, his mouth watering.
"Are you letting me join?" he asked, reaching for a fork.
Callie slapped his hand away.
The sound of the slap was loud in the quiet room.
The string players stopped for a fraction of a second, then resumed.
"No," Callie said. "I want you to look at this."
She turned her phone screen toward him.
It was the PDF of the bank statement for the $45,000 transfer.
Dustin’s face went from pale to ghostly white.
His eyes darted around the room, looking for an exit that didn't exist.
"Callie... I can explain that," he stammered.
"Can you?" she asked, her voice calm.
"Can you explain why you bought your mother a house with my grandmother's money?"
"Can you explain why I’m paying Paige’s car note while she mocks my cooking?"
Callie’s father stood up slowly.
He was a quiet man, but he was six feet tall and built like a mountain.
"What did you say?" her father asked, his voice low and dangerous.
"Callie, what did he do?"
"He stole from us, Dad," Callie said, never taking her eyes off Dustin.
"He stole every cent I worked for to fund his mother's ego."
"It’s not stealing!" Dustin shouted, his voice cracking.
"It’s family! My mom was going to be evicted! Paige had no way to get to work!"
"I was going to pay it back, Callie! I swear!"
"With what money, Dustin?" she asked.
"You haven't had a raise in four years."
"You don't even pay for the groceries."
"You used me as an ATM for the people who hate me."
Dustin grabbed her shoulders, his grip tight and desperate.
"You don't understand the pressure she puts on me! She’s my mother!"
"And I was your wife," Callie said, shaking him off.
"The word is 'was', Dustin."
"Because while you were sitting there watching your mother eat my parents' anniversary dinner..."
"I was signing the papers to have you removed from this life."
Dustin laughed, a hysterical, shrill sound.
"You can't do that! We're married! Half of everything is mine!"
"Actually," Callie said, picking up her wine glass.
"I had a prenuptial agreement, remember?"
"The one your mother told you not to sign?"
"The one that says any inheritance remains sole property?"
"And the one that says any documented theft of marital funds forfeits the right to alimony?"
Dustin’s eyes went wide.
He had forgotten about the paper he had signed four years ago in a rush of love.
"I’m calling my mom," he said, reaching for his phone.
"Go ahead," Callie said.
"Tell her she’s moving out of Lakeside Estates."
"Because I just put a stop-payment on that check."
"It won't clear."
"And by tomorrow morning, the car dealership will be picking up the SUV."
Dustin staggered back, his world collapsing.
He looked at Callie’s parents.
"Help me," he pleaded. "We're family!"
Callie’s father stepped forward, his shadow falling over Dustin.
"Get your things," her father said.
May you like
"Now."
***
