Chapter 4 - Christmas at the Bellamy Mansion
Frank insisted that the entire family spend Christmas Eve at the Bellamy mansion.
The house contained twelve bedrooms, six fireplaces, a heated garage, and a grand staircase decorated with garlands.
Frank often referred to it as the result of his lifetime of hard work.
In truth, Nicholas had purchased the property through Northstar during a foreclosure sale. He allowed the Bellamys to live there because Isabella wanted her parents to have security.
Frank paid one dollar per month.
He had missed even that payment for the past eleven months.
On Christmas Eve morning, Nicholas arrived early with Mackenzie.
He carried gifts inside, repaired a broken railing, and helped an elderly neighbor whose car had become stuck in the snow.
By noon, his coat was covered in salt and sawdust.
Frank looked him up and down.
“Couldn’t you clean yourself before entering my house?”
Nicholas removed his boots quietly.
Mackenzie frowned at her grandfather.
“Daddy fixed your stairs.”
Frank laughed.
“That’s what he’s good for.”
During dinner, the family discussed Preston’s plan to purchase a hotel in Aspen.
Nicholas recognized the address immediately. Northstar owned the hotel through a subsidiary.
Preston spoke confidently.
“We already have investors.”
Frank raised his glass.
“And Northstar will guarantee the financing.”
Nicholas set down his fork.
“No, it won’t.”
The table became silent.
Frank smiled as though speaking to a child.
“You don’t make that decision.”
“I do.”
Several relatives laughed.
Isabella did not.
She looked frightened.
Frank leaned back in his chair.
“You tighten bolts for Northstar. Don’t confuse access to a maintenance room with authority.”
“The financing will not be approved.”
Frank’s smile disappeared.
“You think because some executive lets you carry papers, you can interfere with this family?”
Nicholas looked directly at him.
“The documents you submitted contain my forged signature.”
Aunt Denise gasped.
Preston stared at Frank.
Isabella stood abruptly.
“Not tonight.”
“Your father committed fraud,” Nicholas said.
“You’re embarrassing me.”
“I’m trying to stop this before people go to prison.”
Frank slammed his hand on the table.
“Get out.”
Mackenzie flinched.
Nicholas immediately softened his voice.
“We’re leaving.”
But Isabella blocked the doorway.
For one hopeful second, Nicholas thought she had chosen him.
Then she reached into a drawer and removed a manila folder.
“I was going to wait until after Christmas,” she said. “But maybe this is better.”
She threw the folder onto the table.
Divorce papers slid across the polished wood.
Nicholas looked at her signature.
She had filed three days earlier.
Frank smiled.
Isabella lifted her chin.
“My lawyer says I’ll receive the house, primary custody, and enough support to maintain Mackenzie’s lifestyle.”
“You discussed taking my daughter without speaking to me?”
“She needs stability.”
“I am her stability.”
“You’re a handyman who disappears for work and refuses to tell anyone what he earns.”
Nicholas slowly gathered the papers.
Around the table, relatives avoided his eyes.
Mackenzie left her chair and ran to him.
“Daddy, are we going home?”
Before Nicholas could answer, Frank spoke.
“Your father doesn’t have a real home anymore.”
Mackenzie’s eyes filled with tears.
Frank pointed toward the door.
“Go live with your loser father.”
Nicholas’s restraint finally broke.
Not into rage.
Into clarity.
He lifted Mackenzie into his arms.
Then he looked at Isabella.
“You’re allowing this?”
She looked away.
May you like
That was her answer.
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