At last, I was confident in my ability to make decisions.
I reached for my mobile phone.
“Julian, get security here.”
Mark let out a guffaw, “Are you asking for a drink?”
I stared at him. Unmoved.
“I’m not ordering drinks, I’m disposing of trash.”
Chapter 4: The Truth Uncovered
It took less than a minute for security to show up.
There were six guards. They arrived in complete silence.
Julian stepped forward to me with reverential bowing of head.
“Maid Stark can we go on with our business?”
Mark was dead stopped in his tracks, “What are you talking about? She is my wife!”
“She is the owner,” Julian spoke matter-of-factly.
Despair washed over me as shock wave after shock wave washed over me as I processed what had just occurred.
“I bought this resort,” I said while looking at Toby’s father. “I wanted to see how I would be treated if I had nothing.”
I looked directly at Frank. “You called me a hick from a small town.”
I looked to Beatrice. “You treated me like an unpaid servant.”
I looked at Mark. “You stood there and watched your son choke to death.”
“Clara, hold on,” he stated.
A guard shoved him back. He stumbled.
“Get them out,” I ordered softly.
They cried out, threatened me and begged for mercy.
I smiled.
The presence of security cameras have recorded your behavior. Police are waiting outside.”
Mark broke down. “Where do we go now?”
I turned away. “Try swimming.”
Chapter 5: Restoration and Healing
From the balcony of my penthouse, I saw them being tossed out as if they were trash turned to litter on the side of the street.
They looked so small from up there.
My attorney confirmed everything: divorce and custody. Criminal charges.
Toby sat on the ledge of the railing, next to me.
“Do you think they will come back for us?”
“No,” I replied.
“Was it my fault they left?” he asked.
My heart broke into many little pieces.
“No, Toby. You are perfect.”
We spent the remainder of the week recuperating together — walking the beach, learning how to float.
For the first time in many years, I was free again. I was not invisible. I was not powerless.
I was Clara Sterling.
Chapter 6: Building a Legacy
One year later, Azure Sands was doing well. Azure Sands is still a luxury resort, but it feels like a more loving and supportive place.
Toby yelled, “Mom!” As he ran to me, laughing, as he boldly and unshakably entered the water.
I received an email concerning Mark. It detailed the unraveling of his life.
I deleted the email without reading the contents.
I felt nothing.
“Can we please get some gelato?” Toby begged.
I smiled. “Any flavor you want.”
As we were walking, we witnessed a man yelling at his wife.
I turned around to Julian and said, “Please upgrade her room.”
“And the husband?” he inquired.
“If he raises his voice again, get rid of him,” I answered.
Julian nodded in understand.
In my world, kindness is of utmost importance.
There are consequences for cruelty.
I am no longer the woman you took for granted.
Now I am the one in control.
This is only the beginning of who I am about to become.
