The black luxury SUV pulled up the winding driveway of the Sterling estate, its headlights cutting through the evening fog.
Lucia sat in the plush leather back seat, her hand resting over her stomach as she stared out the window at the massive stone mansion.
Lucia: It feels so strange being back here...
Marcus: You belong here, Lucia. You always belonged here.
Lucia: What if your mother is still inside?
Marcus: Then she will leave now.
Marcus opened his door, stepping out and holding his hand out to help Lucia down from the high vehicle.
They walked through the grand double doors into the foyer, where Eleanor Sterling sat in a silk armchair near the fireplace, sipping tea.
Eleanor: Marcus! Where have you been?! Victoria called me screaming hysterically about—
Eleanor stopped talking mid-sentence as her eyes landed on Lucia standing beside her son, wearing her blue maid uniform.
Eleanor: What is this trash doing in my house?
Marcus: Watch your tongue, Mother.
Eleanor: Have you lost your mind, Marcus?! You left your own merger dinner to bring this girl back here?!
Marcus: I know about the two million dollars, Mother.
Eleanor's tea cup rattled against the saucer as her face went stiff.
Eleanor: What... what are you talking about?
Marcus: I know you threatened Lucia’s family. I know you blocked her settlement funds and forced her out onto the street while she was carrying my child.
Eleanor: She isn't fit to carry a Sterling heir, Marcus! She comes from nothing!
Marcus: She has more dignity and honor in her pinky finger than you have in your entire body.
Eleanor: I did it to protect you! She was using you for your money!
Marcus: She didn't take a single dollar from me, Mother! She worked sixteen-hour shifts at my hotel just to buy food while you sat in luxury!
Marcus stepped forward, grabbing a leather suitcase sitting by the hall table and setting it firmly on the floor.
Marcus: Security has already packed your personal clothes. The car is waiting outside to take you to the airport.
Eleanor: You are kicking your own mother out of her home?!
Marcus: This is my home, Mother. Built with my company, under my name. You have fifteen minutes to get into that car, or I will file formal criminal charges for extortion against you and Victoria.
Eleanor looked at her son's stone-cold eyes, realizing for the first time in her life that she had lost all power over him.
Eleanor: You will regret this, Marcus.
Marcus: The only thing I regret is not standing up to you seven months ago.