Julian and Rebecca came down the stairs. Julian saw Theresa, Fox, Ethan and Gwen sitting around, having breakfast.

Julian rang for a maid.

” Yes, Mr. Crane?”

” A bottle of Dom Perignon. And glasses for everyone. I feel like celebrating.”

Everyone looked at Julian, while he pulled out his best Cuban cigar and began smoking. The doorbell rang and the next thing anyone knew, Crane Security was in  the foyer. Julian spoke to the men, and they went upstairs. By that time, the champagne was back.
Julian poured himself a glass. Rebecca had one too.

“ Everyone can have some, except for you, Gwen dear.”

” Isn’t it early for you and your mistress to be partying, Julian?”

” My dear Theresa, you haven’t asked WHY I’m partying.”

” I don’t care. I don’t have time for this nonsense. I have a meeting at Crane Industries. Let’s go Ethan and Fox.”

” You don’t have a meeting at Crane Industries.”, Julian replied, stopping them in their tracks.

“ Oh, yes I do.”

” No, you don’t. In fact, you’ve been fired.”

” By who?”

” It’s by WHOM, my illiterate wife, and by ME, as President of Crane Industries.”

” Well, we’ll just see about that!” Theresa went over to the phone and called.

” Alistair Crane’s office.”

” This is Theresa Crane. I need to speak to him.”

” Mr. Crane can’t be disturbed right now.”

” But…this is important.”

” Goodbye.”

The click of the phone stunned Theresa, who then looked up to see Crane Security bringing down suitcases, and items she knew were in her room.

” What…what are you doing with my things?”

” They’re putting them in a truck. You’re leaving this house, Theresa.”

” I am not going anywhere. I’m Mrs. Julian Crane, and this house is as much mine as it is yours.”

” Dream on, you delusional bitch. You are NOT my wife. I am NOT your husband. “

” You’re lying!”

” Oh no, my dear. I got the proof, and doublechecked my facts. “ There was a doorbell ring. “ Ah, that should be reinforcements.” The maid opened the door and soon there were two sheriff’s deputies, and Harper standing in the living room.

” Harper, Officers. Glad to see you, gentlemen.” Julian pointed to Theresa. “ Gentlemen, that woman is trespassing on my property. I called you to escort her off the grounds.”

” YOU CAN’T DO THIS, JULIAN!”

“ I’m Julian Crane. The hell I can’t. “

Just then Pilar came into the living room, witnessing the scene. “ What is going on here?”

Theresa ran to Pilar. “ Mama, Julian says that we’re not married. He’s trying to throw me out!”

“ Mi dios, is it true?”

” I have never spoken truer words. Now, out, BOTH of you.”

” What?”, Pilar asked.

” You were here because Ivy liked you, and Theresa was your daughter, and I THOUGHT she was my wife. But, now neither is true, so you’re fired, Pilar. Adios.”

“ Julian, you can’t throw me and your son out into the street!”

” Actually, Theresa dear, I’m only throwing YOU out in the street. MY son stays in this house. Harper.”

Julian motioned towards Harper, who hands Theresa some documents. “ A judge has given Julian physical custody of Little Ethan.”

“ What? This is a fraud. I am NOT leaving my son with Julian!”

” He’s MY son, and he will be staying with me.” Julian motions to the officers. “ You heard me. I want her AND her mother out of my house. NOW!”

” I’m not leaving without MY son!”

” Then, you’ll be going to jail. Either way, you’re out of here!”

The deputy came over to Theresa and Pilar. “ Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald, Ms. Lopez-Fitzgerald, you should just come. Don’t make things worse for yourself. Don’t let him throw you into jail.”

Theresa looked over to Fox and Ethan, who were both on their way to Julian.

” Father, you can’t be serious.”

” Julian, you’re being unreasonable.”

” While I understand why you two are being led around by the lower part of your anatomy, let me make things perfectly clear. ‘I’ am Julian Crane. ‘ I’ am taking back my life, which was thrown into turmoil the moment I woke up next to that barracuda. I’m tired of her, her mother, her menacing brothers – the whole damn clan! I want them OUT of my life. She’s history. Officers.”

“ Julian, let me say goodbye to Little Ethan.”

” I’ll give you as much consideration as you’ve given me with regards to our son. Get the hell out.”

Julian drank his champagne as Theresa and Pilar left the Crane Mansion. He and Rebecca clinked glasses.

“ Ah, finally…..some peace.”

Fox and Ethan were on their way after Pilar and Theresa when Gwen yelled at Ethan. “ Ethan, where do you think you’re going?”

” I’m going to see if Theresa’s alright.”

” Ethan, please. I’m sick and tired of it. She brought this on herself, and now she’s gone. She’s NOT your responsibility anymore. Fox looks like he can take care of things. You have responsibilities of your own to attend to.”

” You can’t expect me to leave Theresa alone at a time like this.”

” That’s EXACTLY what I expect you to do, Ethan. You’ve mistaken this for a situation where the ex-es are all friends. This is not the case. She’s been throwing around her ‘Crane weight’ from the moment she believed she was Mrs. Julian Crane. Used it enough to throw your own MOTHER out in the snow, as well as blocked YOUR attempts at getting employment elsewhere. “ Ethan looked at her in shock. “ What, you can’t be that stupid, Ethan. I asked my father to do a little investigating and he told me this morning that THERESA was the one who had been blackballing you, so to force your hand in taking the Crane Industries job. So, the little terror has now been stripped of her power. No better for her. Cry for her? Feel sympathy for her? Please. I don’t think so. I hope Julian makes her as miserable as she’s made others in this town.”

Gwen walked away from Ethan and over to her mother and hugged her.

” Well, Mother, you did it. You said you’d get rid of Theresa. And, you did.”

” Yes, I did! Now, there’s nothing in my way of becoming Mrs. Julian Crane!”

Julian gulped down his champagne. He smiled at Rebecca, but inside, his mind was turning. He had to find a way to extract himself from Rebecca. He had just been freed. The LAST thing he wanted was another ball and chain.