Noah’s voice was softer. “Mom, he said unless you go to his office and agree to what he wants, he’ll get us expelled. He’ll ruin our college chances.”
“And what does he want?”
“He wants to play happy family. He said you took away 16 years. He’s trying to get appointed to a state education board. He wants you to pretend to be his wife at a banquet.”
I couldn’t breathe.
“Boys,” I said finally. “Look at me.”
They did—hesitant, hopeful.
“I would burn the entire education board to the ground before I let that man own us. Do you think I kept him from you? He left us. He chose this, not me.”
Liam blinked, something flickering in his eyes. “Mom… then what do we do?”
“We’ll agree to his terms. And then we’ll expose him when it matters most.”
The morning of the banquet, I picked up an extra shift. The boys sat in a booth, homework spread out.
“You don’t have to stay here,” I said gently.
“We want to, Mom,” Noah replied.
A few minutes later, Evan walked in—designer coat, polished shoes, smug smile. He slid into the booth like he belonged.
I walked over with coffee.
“I didn’t order that rubbish, Rachel,” he sneered.
“You didn’t have to,” I said. “You’re here to make a deal.”
