Chapter 1 - THE FOLDER BENEATH THE OVEN.
Marcus Hale entered through the rear door and froze.
Ten-year-old twins Lily and Grace sat beside the marble island in matching maid-style dresses, each holding a reddened cheek. Celeste Ward stood above them in red satin, studying the palm she had used.
“She did it,” Lily cried. “She hit both of us.”
Celeste called it discipline. Marcus stopped her wrist, released it and ordered her away from the children.
“You will never touch them again.”
When she mocked him, he struck her once in controlled anger. Celeste landed safely on her side, stunned but conscious. Marcus immediately stood between her and the girls.
“Get out—and never come near them again.”
Grace tugged his sleeve.
“Dad, don’t let her leave with the black folder.”
May you like
Celeste’s confidence vanished.
Marcus opened the lower oven drawer and found two unsigned petitions declaring his daughters emotionally unfit to inherit their mother’s estate.
