Vivian’s face had gone completely white, her lips drawn into a thin, tight line.

She glared at me with a cold, silent hatred.

“You planned this,” Vivian hissed. “You let us believe you were nothing.”

“I let you show me exactly who you were,” I said.

Mr. Han stepped forward, signaling to the security guards.

“The paperwork is complete, Mrs. Arden,” Mr. Han said. “We are ready to clear the premises.”

I nodded once.

“Please do,” I said.

Two guards in dark uniforms moved toward Daniel, their hands resting near their belts.

“This way, Mr. Mercer,” one of the guards said, his voice flat.

Daniel did not move at first.

He looked at me, his eyes pleading.

“Maya, please,” Daniel said, reaching out a hand. “We can talk about this. We can work something out.”

“We have nothing left to talk about, Daniel,” I said.

“You’re throwing us out into the street?” Claire cried, her voice cracking.

“The driveway leads directly to the main road,” I said.

The guards took Daniel by the arms, not roughly, but with enough force to make him stumble forward.