“With what money?”
“It was temporary. I was going to put it back.”
His brother’s voice cut in.
“You don’t borrow company money without approval.”
Michael’s mother looked at Melanie’s bracelet.
“Jenna fed this family on a reduced budget while you bought that?”
Michael turned to Melanie.
“It was temporary.”
“Don’t listen to them.”
She unclasped the bracelet.
For a second, I thought she’d hand it to me.
I shook my head.
“That was never mine.”
Melanie set it beside Michael’s drink.
“You told me you owned half the business.”
“Don’t listen to them.”
“I do.”
“Ownership isn’t a personal checking account,” his brother said.
Melanie stared at Michael.
“You said Jenna refused to accept the marriage was over.”
“No,” I said. “He forgot to tell me.”
She picked up her bag.
“He forgot to tell me.”
“The apartment doesn’t exist. Neither does the life you promised me.”
Then she walked out through the side gate.
***
Michael started after her.
His mother blocked him.
“Leave her.”
“The apartment doesn’t exist.”
