Chapter 8 - Jason’s Choice
At dawn, the storm broke.
The clouds parted over the San Juan Mountains, revealing jagged, snow-capped peaks against a pristine azure sky. Sunlight poured through the tall A-frame glass, illuminating the disaster of the night before.
Jason was the first one upstairs. He had his coat on and two suitcases in hand. He looked like he hadn't slept a wink.
"Becca," he said, walking straight to where I sat by the hearth. "I'm sorry. I had no idea. Olivia told me she bought this place as an investment with her marketing earnings. She forged your name on an intent-to-sell document to get me to transfer the cash."
He placed a certified bank cashier's slip on the table.
"I called my attorney at five this morning as soon as the satellite signal cleared. The fifty thousand dollars Diane took was intercepted from her bank before the clearance period ended. It’s back in my trust. And I'm filing for separation today."
Olivia walked out of the mudroom just in time to hear him.
"Jason, no!" she screamed, rushing over. "You can't leave me! We have a family! We have an image!"
"An image?" Jason turned, his face hardened by betrayal. "You stole from your sister. You lied to my parents. You dragged my children into a frozen cabin that isn't ours, and then you went online and lied about our kids freezing in a basement! You're sick, Olivia."
He turned to me, his gaze full of remorse. "I hired a private snowplow from Silverton. It’ll be here in twenty minutes. I’ll make sure everyone leaves your house spotless."
May you like
"Thank you, Jason," I said quietly.
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