Chapter 9 Not Your Home
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Once the shock faded, Michelle sprang to Dominic’s defense. “He’s just a kid! You think he knows anything about dirty money and financial crimes? He probably just saw some text on Caroline’s phone and thought he was doing her a favor at work.”
As she tenderly ruffled Dominic’s hair, she added, “That’s it, right? Sweetie?”
Her sweet talk hit Dominic like a lit match in a powder keg, setting off his pent–up feelings.
He broke down in tears, sobbing loudly, “Yeah, that’s it! I wasn’t trying to do anything bad–just wanted to help Mom out! I don’t even know what dirty money is!”
Caleb’s ice king vibe thawed a bit, but he wasn’t backing down. “If you were just trying to help, why didn’t you tell her later? You let that mess blow up in her face before she even saw it coming.”
Dominic was straight–up speechless, caught with his pants down.
Michelle shot Caleb the “watch yourself” look and gently chided him, “Chill. He’s just a kid, not some kind of memory whiz. Why are you grilling him like this? I got Caroline’s back watching him, and you can’t be coming at Dominic just because his mom’s not around!”
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Chapter 9 Not Your Home
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The second Caroline’s name dropped, Caleb’s eyes went murderous. “You’re too soft. Defending Dominic is cool, bul you’re caping for Caroline too? You think she still cares even a little about her kid?”
Michelle tried to keep it cool. “She was just in her feelings. She loves you. No way she’s serious about divorcing you or leaving Dominic. Look, I’m already caught up in this mess. People gonna start saying I’m your side piece.”
Her eyes started getting watery.
Dominic felt that in his soul and rushed to hug her, patting her back like a tiny therapist. “It’s all good, Ms. Adams. You’re basically my mom anyway! My real mom doesn’t even deserve the title!”
Caleb’s face darkened, irritation written all over it.
But seeing Michelle all worked up, he swallowed whatever he
was gonna say.
She wiped those tears real quick and pulled herself together. “Caleb, Dominic had it rough at school, so I picked him up early. He’s craving my cooking, and I made extra. Come eat with us? I’ll leave after he’s done, won’t make things weird for you and Caroline.”
“Thanks, but I’ve got work to handle. Help yourself and take
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care of him,” Caleb said, already turning to come out.
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Michelle’s voice was all shaky. “Remember when you first tried my cooking? I was fifteen, Matt’s eighteenth. You rolled through for his birthday, even blessed him with that car.
“Everyone loved my food back then. Straight up good times. Now? Nobody hits like that anymore since everything went sideways.”
She lost it, almost hitting the deck crying.
The feels hit Caleb like a truck, memories of all those good times. with his now–departed homie flooding back. And just like that, his hate for Caroline shot through the roof.
His tone softened a bit. “Alright, stop crying. I’ll stay for dinner.”
Michelle nodded and quickly pulled herself together. Then she grabbed Dominic’s hand, and they made their way to the dinner table.
Thanks to Dominic playing peace–keeper, dinner was quite pleasant.
Then the door beeped–someone’s fingerprint was getting verified.
Caleb didn’t even bother looking up, but his fork froze mid–bite like someone hit pause.
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A moment later, Caroline pushed the door open and stepped in.
Dominic, still miffed about being chewed out by his dad, went off. “Who let you in? Weren’t you wanted out? Said you were done with Dad and me? This isn’t your home anymore!”
Michelle jumped in with that fake sweet talk. “Dominic, don’t talk to your mom like that.”
Caroline stood in the doorway, dead–eyed as she watched their little happy–family moment. Talk about a kick to the gut.
Perfect family dinner right there.
So why’s he fighting this divorce so hard? This setup’s exactly what he wants anyway.
What a freaking joke.
Caroline fired back, “When was this ever my home? I’ve only been paying rent with my babysitting services. Pretty sure that debt’s cleared by now.”
Caleb’s face went cold. “Talking down on yourself ain’t gonna make me feel bad. You’re just pathetic!”
“Nah, you’re. Ever slept with this babysitter?” Caroline hit him with that ice–cold comeback.
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Michelle tried to play mediator. “Caroline, why are you saying that? You guys are married, everyone knows. This babysitter talk ain’t it.”
arc
“Oh, NOW you wanna acknowledge the marriage? Then why you in my seat playing mommy with my kid? Here to take over babysitting duties?
“If you wanna compete for that role, at least do it right instead of that weak kickback setup. Your smear campaign’s straight trash. Need some advice from a pro?”
Caleb’s frustration peaked.
What’s wrong with her?
This marriage wasn’t exactly my choice, but I’ve always kept it 100 and treated her as Mrs. Martin in public.
Isn’t that enough?
Caroline playing herself like some glorified babysitter was straight disrespecting their whole marriage.
“Cut the BS! Don’t drag Michelle into our problem,” Caleb growled.
“You think I wanna involve her? She’s always here with her fake fainting and attention–seeking self–harm nonsense. I was praying she’d disappear,” Caroline snorted. “Just didn’t know
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she was dumb enough to start trouble. That money crime? She told Dominic to do it!”
Michelle’s jaw dropped, and Caleb gave her the side–eye, not buying Caroline’s story for a second.
“Stop it, she ain’t like that. If she were that type of snake, she wouldn’t be out here defending you.”
Caroline wasn’t having it. “Next time you take her to the
hospital, get your head checked too. You tripping. Watch this footage with your damn eyes. If I’m lying, I’ll take the rap. Swear to God!”
She went digging in her bag, whipped out her iPad, and pulled up the surveillance video.
B
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