“After the photograph.”
Vanessa said nothing.
“For our third anniversary.”
He opened the envelope.
Inside were legal documents.
Vanessa’s eyes moved across the first page.
Property transfer.
Her name.
A fifty-percent beneficial interest in the residence subject to existing trust restrictions.
For one second relief and excitement appeared despite everything.
Marcus saw it.
That seemed to hurt him more than anger.
“I bought this house with money from Aisha’s life insurance and inheritance.”
Vanessa looked up.
“I know.”
“Tiana’s trust technically owns sixty percent.”
“I know.”
“I own the remaining forty personally.”
“Yes.”
“I asked the trustee whether I could restructure my share so you would have long-term security here.”
Vanessa’s expression softened.
“Marcus.”
“I wanted you to know this was your home too.”
“It is.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“I wanted it to be.”
He picked up the unsigned transfer.
Then tore it in half.
Vanessa gasped.
“Marcus.”
He tore it again.
Four pieces fell onto the table.
“You’re being emotional.”
“Yes.”
“At least I am.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“You tried to remove a child from a family photograph in a house her mother helped buy.”
Vanessa stared.
Marcus continued.
“And the worst part?”
“You thought nothing would happen because she would stay quiet.”
“That’s not fair.”
“Tiana has spent years staying quiet.”
“I didn’t know.”
“I believe that.”
“And that may be the worst thing I can say about myself.”
Vanessa’s face shifted.
“About yourself?”
“Yes.”
He stood.
“I missed it.”
“I was so grateful to be happy again that I saw what I wanted.”
“You were good to me.”
“You were good to Jordan and Maya.”
“You were charming with Tiana when I watched.”
“I thought that was enough.”
Vanessa whispered:
“So what happens now?”
Marcus looked toward the staircase.
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?”
“No.”
“Are you leaving me?”
“I don’t know.”
Her voice rose.
“You tore property documents in my face and now you don’t know?”
“I know one thing.”
“What?”
“Tiana comes first.”
Vanessa laughed in disbelief.
“There.”
Marcus stared.
“There what?”
“That’s what I mean.”
“You say family, but what you mean is Tiana first.”
Marcus’s face became still.
Vanessa continued.
“When Jordan struggles, you help him.”
“When Maya needs something, you help her.”
“But if Tiana is upset, the entire house stops.”
“Because her mother died.”
“So?”
The word escaped.
Vanessa froze.
Marcus looked at her as if she had become a stranger.
She tried recovering.
“I mean you cannot spend the rest of her life compensating for tragedy.”