Chapter 8 - The Receipt
Two weeks later, Marcus announced that Ethan would return.
He had spoken to a private instructor and paid a deposit for advanced lessons without Daniel’s permission.
Daniel immediately refused.
Marcus blamed Claire.
The argument began in the kitchen and followed them into the hallway.
“You have poisoned my brother against me,” he said.
“You contacted a teacher for his son without asking him.”
“I was helping.”
“You were controlling.”
Lily appeared at the top of the stairs in her red jacket, ready to leave for her lesson with Mr. Hale.
Marcus pointed at her.
“And now you are encouraging this fantasy.”
Claire’s voice became dangerously calm.
“Do not speak about her like that.”
“She is not a musician.”
Lily stopped moving.
Marcus continued.
“She heard people clap once, and now everyone is pretending she has talent.”
Claire walked toward him.
“She is seven.”
“She needs reality.”
“No. She needs kindness.”
Marcus pulled the piano receipt from a drawer and held it up.
“Do you understand what commitment looks like? Eight thousand nine hundred and forty dollars. That is commitment.”
“That money came from Lily’s education account.”
“I said I would replace it.”
“You have not.”
Marcus looked toward the open front door. Heavy rain hammered the covered porch.
“If you hate everything I do, leave.”
Claire stared at him.
He seemed surprised when she did not argue.
She walked upstairs, returned with two bags, and took Lily’s hand.
Marcus’s confidence faltered.
“What are those?”
“Our clothes.”
“You are being ridiculous.”
Claire led Lily toward the door.
“You cannot just walk out.”
“I can.”
Marcus followed them.
“This is my house.”
Claire stopped on the porch.
“It was supposed to be our home.”
He raised the receipt as though it proved his authority.
“The piano is for Ethan, not her.”
Lily flinched.
Claire placed herself between them.
“You already made your choice.”
Marcus’s face twisted with frustration.
“Then maybe we should divorce.”
Lily looked up at Claire, trembling.
May you like
Then she asked the question that finally made the cost of Marcus’s choices impossible to hide.
“Is Ethan better than me?”
