"Ms. Henson, you're suspected of intentional assault. Please come with us for questioning."
They showed me footage of me hitting Margot. The options: kneel and apologize publicly, or pay $300,000 in settlement.
Curtis, ever the devoted husband protecting his image, wired the money without hesitation.
He said he'd handle everything for me.
I was still wondering what game he was playing when the lawyer placed a video in front of me.
"Ms. Henson, we just received word from the hospital. Your mother is in critical condition and needs $300,000 for emergency surgery."
"Conveniently, Ms. Pruitt's settlement is also $300,000."
"So—would you like to apologize to Ms. Pruitt? Or watch your mother die?"
Mom's face on the screen was pale as paper. My hands wouldn't stop shaking.
Curtis pretended to love me. Pretended he'd solve all my problems.
While using my mother's life as leverage to force me to my knees before Margot.
He was the greatest actor in the world.
One performance after another of false devotion.
My heart twisted violently.
The tears I'd been holding back finally fell.
But in the end, I slowly closed my eyes and made the most humiliating choice of my life.
"I'll apologize."
I couldn't let Mom die because of me.
Surrounded by mocking stares.
Surrounded by cruel whispers.
I bent my knees and lowered myself to the ground.
Margot wore that same triumphant smile.
Only now, fresh marks dotted her neck—the kind lovers leave behind.
She leaned close and whispered.
"A-list star, on her knees, begging for forgiveness."
"Emma, how will you ever show your face again?"
"Whatever. Your life's been over for a while now."
"I can't be bothered with you anymore. I've got a new gift from Curtis to unwrap."
I watched her walk away, then made my way back to the Seaside Villa alone.
The moment I stepped through the door, Agnes Lambert rushed toward me, her face stricken.
"Ma'am, where have you been?"
"The hospital called. They said... they said your mother just passed away."
"I went to ask what happened. They told me the surgery payment was held back. That's why she didn't make it..."
"What did you say?"
My eyes went wide, my mind blank.
Then my phone buzzed again. Another message from Curtis.
"Emma, your mother's medical bills went through the company account. Three hundred thousand. Don't forget to pay it back."
Three hundred thousand... Three hundred thousand...