Apocalypse Survivor

Chapter 4 Prove it.

“You think because you got an average job now as a laborer in the marines and you managed to get your life is finally on track so you can suddenly do whatever you want?”

Ethan glanced at his watch. “You’re late, so let's stop wasting time.” His voice remained completely emotionless. 

That infuriated her.  Claire stared at him with so much rage. 

“You really sold the house? Where are we supposed to live?”

Ethan gave her a faint smile. “That sounds like a family problem.”

Robert's mouth fell open.

Ethan glanced over at the SUV that had brought them. 

The driver's door opened and a familiar man stepped out. Marcus. Claire's so-called family friend.

He walked toward them with an irritated expression, his expensive shirt perfectly pressed and his watch gleaming beneath the afternoon sun.

In Ethan's previous life, Marcus had been the man Claire secretly loved.

He had also been the man Ethan foolishly trusted. Shortly before the apocalypse, Claire convinced him to use the house as collateral and lend Marcus money to invest in Marcus' start -up. But when he refused, she threatened him with a divorce. 

Marcus had promised to multiply the money. Instead, the business collapsed within two weeks, but this time, contrary to their plans, he had sold the house. This time, he hadn't even given Marcus the opportunity.

Marcus walked straight toward him. “What kind of man are you?”

Ethan raised an eyebrow. “What does that mean?

Marcus continued. “You sell the house while your wife and her family are still living there? You didn't even have the decency to tell them?”

Claire suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Ethan by the collar.

“We received a call telling us we have two days to vacate the house!”

Her fingers tightened around his shirt. “How could you be so ungrateful?”

Ethan looked down at her hand.

Then he slowly removed it from his collar.

“Ungrateful?”

He gave a faint scoff. “The house is mine.”

His eyes swept across the group and he shrugged his shoulders. “I get to do whatever I want with it.”

Claire's face reddened. “You're unbelievable!”

“No.” Ethan straightened his shirt. “You people are the ungrateful ones.”

Robert stepped forward. “Watch your mouth!”

Ethan looked directly at him. “You keep calling me ungrateful. But have any of you ever asked yourselves who was actually ungrateful?”

Robert's expression darkened. “I took you into this family!”

“My daughter even pity-married you.”

Ethan let out a dry laugh, and he slowly muttered. “When your family was in debt, I handled everything and even revived your daughter's dying business.” 

“I went broke after handling all your problems, and now you call me useless?”

“The entire group fell silent. Claire's face turned pale.

Ethan continued.

“You all treated me like a servant when I was paying your bills. You ordered me around because you thought I would never leave.”

His gaze moved to Claire. “And now you're angry because I finally did.”

Claire clenched her fists. “You're acting like we owe you something!”

“You do.” Ethan's answer came instantly. “But I'm no longer interested in collecting.”

Marcus scoffed.

“What a joke. You abandoned your pregnant wife because you're too selfish to take responsibility.”

Ethan looked at him. “And you care so much about my family?”

Marcus shrugged. “Someone has to.” He held Claire's shoulders. 

Ethan only shook his head. How long had this been going on under his nose and he hadn't noticed he wondered. 

Even when he visited, Claire had always smiled at him and hugged him in so many intimate ways that she had never done with him before. 

He remembered every lie disguised as assurance when he inquired about Marcus. She had shut down all his complaints about staying out late with him. 

Even when she had come home reeking of a man's cologne, she would say,

“It has been like that since childhood; nothing happened. We just shared a bed after working all night.” 

Marcus didn't need to ask before she jumped at every opportunity to be around him, she loudly celebrated Marcus birthdays but forgot his birthday and even spent the weekend on a trip with him when he reminded her. 

Wedding anniversary and planned dates, she always had an excuse to miss them. 

After a while he had just gone on with it, choosing to trust her. She would say.

“I have to dedicate this time to building a business for our future and you're being insecure.” 

Robert stepped forward again.

“Be a man! Claire is carrying your child. Even if you think you're not worthy of her, shouldn't you at least take responsibility for your child and its mother?”

Ethan stared at him and burst out laughing. 

Ethan pointed toward the civil bureau.

“Yeah, right if I'm not worthy of her, then let's dissolve the marriage first.”

Claire's eyes widened. “You're really doing this?”

Claire's mother immediately joined in.  “After everything my daughter did for you?”

Ethan shook his head. “She did what?”

Claire suddenly shouted, “Fine! Divorce me! But don't think you're escaping your responsibilities!”

Her mother immediately stepped beside her.

“When this child is born, I'll make sure my daughter sues you for every penny of child support you're supposed to pay!”

She pointed at Ethan.

“Whatever money you got from selling that house, you'll spend it all supporting your child!”

Claire nodded. “Yes.”

Ethan's smile widened. “Fine. As long as you prove the child is mine.”

Claire's face instantly lost its color and there was a brief silence. 

Her mother's expression froze. Robert's eyes widened.

Marcus' lips twitched. 

“What did you say?” Robert growled. He looked ready to swing. But Ethan didn't move. He simply stared at him calmly. 

Ethan tilted his head. “You heard me.”

Almost curiously. Robert's clenched fist trembled.

Then slowly lowered. Ethan's smile became deeper.

He turned toward Claire and she couldn't meet his eyes. She was only wondering how she might have found out. 

Ethan stepped closer, and his voice dropped until only she could hear. “I know that child isn't mine.”

Claire's body stiffened.

Ethan leaned slightly closer. “And if you want to save yourself the embarrassment…”

Claire's lips parted and genuine worry flashed in her eyes.  His eyes locked onto hers. 

“I'd advise you to simply sign the divorce papers.”