Chapter 10 - THE PROMISE
Olivia woke the next morning to find Marcus sitting beside the window.
“I heard you're investigating the company.”
“Yes.”
“You'll lose friends.”
“Probably.”
“Your reputation.”
“Maybe.”
“Your company?”
Marcus looked toward Maya.
“Maybe.”
Olivia studied him.
“Then why are you doing this?”
Marcus was quiet for a moment.
“Because your daughter shouldn't have to grow up believing she has to survive alone.”
Olivia's eyes filled with tears.
“She already thinks she does.”
“I know.”
Maya walked into the room holding her drawing.
“Mr. Marcus?”
“Yes?”
“Can I ask something?”
“Anything.”
“Can Mom stay somewhere warm?”
Marcus looked at Olivia.
Olivia opened her mouth to refuse.
Marcus gently interrupted.
“I know you don't want charity.”
Olivia nodded.
“So don't call it charity.”
“What should I call it?”
“A temporary home.”
She hesitated.
“You'd do that?”
“I would.”
Maya smiled.
“Then can I have pancakes?”
Marcus laughed for the first time in days.
“Yes.”
“With strawberries?”
“Absolutely.”
Maya ran toward the door.
Olivia watched her go.
Then she looked at Marcus.
“Thank you.”
He shook his head.
“Don't thank me yet.”
“Why?”
“Because I haven't finished.”
Marcus looked at the evidence stacked on the table.
Someone had stolen from thousands of families.
Someone had nearly destroyed Olivia.
And someone had frightened a six-year-old girl into believing she had to handle the world alone.
May you like
Marcus was going to find them.
And this time, he wasn't going to stop until the entire truth came out.
