Chapter 4 - THE HOMECOMING FROM HELL
Luca returned home that evening in a state of absolute, incandescent rage. He slammed the front door so hard the framed family photos in the hallway rattled against the drywall. I was sitting at the kitchen island, sipping chamomile tea while helping Kelly review her algebra homework.
“Where is he? Did you know about this?” Luca roared, marching into the kitchen and snatching the tablet right out of Kelly’s hands.
“Dad, give that back!” Kelly cried, her eyes widening in fear at the raw fury distorting her father’s face.
“Go to your room, Kelly. Take Leo with you,” I said calmly, not even flinching as I met Luca’s bloodshot eyes.
Kelly hesitated for a second, grabbed her brother’s hand, and bolted up the stairs. The moment the upstairs door clicked shut, Luca slammed his fist against the marble countertop.
“You went to him! You poisoned his mind against me!” Luca hissed, leaning over the island until his face was inches from mine. “You think you can ruin my life just because you found out about Chloe? You pathetic, insecure little parasite! I gave you sixteen years, and you repay me by stabbing me in the back?”
I took a slow sip of my tea, set the ceramic cup down, and finally looked him dead in the eye.
“You gave me sixteen years of lies, Luca,” I said softly, my voice devoid of emotion. “You spent them sleeping with a woman who measures your worth by a dying man’s pulse. And now you’re angry because the math didn’t work out in your favor.”
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“You think you’ve won?” Luca laughed maniacally, standing up straight and straightening his wrinkled tie. “Fine. Keep the house. Keep whatever scraps Arthur left you. Because by midnight, I’m walking out that door to Chloe. And you can explain to our kids why their father left them for a woman who actually knows how to live.”
“Before you pack your bags,” I said, standing up and pulling a thick manila folder from beneath the counter, “you should probably read your mail.”
