When I pulled into their driveway, I was stunned.
The lawn was pristine, and a new BMW sparkled in the driveway. Definitely not a family on the verge of foreclosure.
I rang the bell. Rebecca’s voice floated from inside: “Marcus, can you get that? I’m arranging flowers for tonight’s dinner party!”
Marcus’s face paled when he saw me. “Mom? Why are you here?”
“I wanted to surprise the kids.”
“The kids are at birthday parties,” he said too quickly.
“Separate ones,” Rebecca added.
Every time I tried to schedule a visit, there was another excuse. It was clear I wasn’t welcome.
That night, I began digging. Rebecca hadn’t lost her job—she’d gotten promoted. They had bought the BMW two months earlier.
I even saw Emma and Tyler playing in the yard that weekend. They had lied.
I called Marcus. “Is Rebecca working?” I asked.
“Yes, but—”
“You’re throwing parties, driving a BMW, and lying about needing money.”
