You want to use me to get rid of her, once and for all. Ha! You may be able to fool others with your little narrative, but that's not going to fly with me."

Marcus just shrugged, completely unperturbed at being found out.

Waylen chose that moment to get to his main purpose for coming.

“Anyway, why didn't you tell us that Matthew was sick? You should speak to Melissa. Tell her that Matthew is more than welcome to come and live with us for a while. Or your mother and I can stay over at their place, at least for a few days. Julie is meticulous, but it can't be easy for her to do chores and take care of a child at the same time."

His tone was confident, as though his proposition was only a matter of course.