Chapter 5 - BATTLE LINES DRAWN
Preparation for the custody battle consumed the household. Clara and Marcus spent late nights in the study, reviewing legal strategies with his high-powered attorneys.
One evening, after the lawyers had gone, Marcus slid a plain manila folder across the desk toward Clara.
"What is this?" she asked.
"I did a background check," Marcus said, his tone unapologetic but soft. "I had to know what Leo would find."
Clara opened the folder. Inside were bank statements, medical bills for Elena's dialysis, and the final balance of a massive debt. Except, at the bottom of the page, a stamp read: PAID IN FULL.
Clara stared at it, the numbers blurring. "Marcus... this is over three hundred thousand dollars. What did you do?"
"I leveled the playing field," he said simply. "Leo can no longer claim you are desperate for money or a flight risk."
"I can't accept this! It's charity!" Clara stood up, tears of pride and relief warring in her eyes.
"It is not charity," Marcus stood up as well, closing the distance between them. "**It is family, Clara.** You take care of mine. Let me take care of yours."
May you like
The sincerity in his voice broke the last of her practiced, professional walls. She didn't say thank you; words weren't enough. She simply nodded, a silent pact forged between them.
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