Chapter 12 - What Marcus TookInside the café, detectives had cleared most of the evidence.
The place smelled like old coffee and panic.
Mia stood by the counter, remembering every shift she had worked there. Every time Marcus had made her feel replaceable. Every time she had swallowed anger because she needed money.
Adrian walked beside her slowly.
“Marcus stole more than information,” he said.
Mia looked at him. “What do you mean?”
“He stole wages. Tips. Insurance payments. He underpaid staff and blamed accounting errors.”
Mia froze.
Her missing tips.
Her shortened checks.
The times Marcus said business was slow even when the café was full.
“He did that to all of us?”
Adrian nodded. “My team is tracing it. Every employee will be paid back.”
Mia stared at him. “Why would you do that?”
“Because it is owed.”
“That simple?”
“It should be.”
Mia looked away before he could see her eyes fill.
For years, people like Marcus had made her feel foolish for expecting fairness. As if asking not to be cheated was childish. As if needing help made her weak.
Adrian reached into his coat pocket and took out an envelope.
Mia stiffened.
He noticed and gave a faint smile. “Not that kind of envelope.”
Inside was a check and a letter.
“This covers what we already confirmed Marcus stole from you,” Adrian said. “There may be more.”
Mia looked at the amount and nearly dropped it.
“This is too much.”
“No,” Adrian said. “It is late.”
May you like
Mia pressed the envelope to her chest.
For the first time in months, rent did not feel like a monster waiting at her door.
