Problems Ongoing

Chapter 22 – Show You Crazy

The money wasn’t meant for this.

It had been tucked away for years.

A private account her father had set aside—something for the future. Something safe.

Nia found it by accident.

And once she did—

It became easy.

Too easy.

No limits.

No questions.

No one stopping her.

If something didn’t work—

She just got more.

Marcus and Ryan noticed.

Of course they did.

“She’s spending,” Marcus said quietly, scrolling through what little he could access. “A lot.”

Ryan didn’t look surprised.

“She’s feeding it.”

Silence.

“We have to do something,” Marcus added.

Ryan nodded once.

And that night—

They did.

The house was quiet when they moved.

Careful. Quick.

They didn’t take everything.

Just enough.

Enough to stop her.

Or at least slow her down.

Ryan hid it.

Somewhere she wouldn’t immediately think to look.

Marcus exhaled. “She’s going to lose it.”

Ryan’s expression stayed calm.

“I know.”

She came home late.

The door slammed harder than usual.

Her steps—

Fast. Uneven. Urgent.

“Nia?” Marcus called from the living room.

No response.

She was already moving through the house.

Searching.

Drawers opened.

Cabinets slammed.

Footsteps pacing.

Faster.

“Where is it?” she muttered.

Her breathing picked up.

“Where is it—”

She turned sharply, heading into the living room.

Marcus and Ryan were already there.

Waiting.

Her eyes snapped to them instantly.

“Where is it?” she demanded.

Marcus frowned slightly. “Where is what?”

“Don’t do that,” she snapped. “Don’t pretend.”

Ryan stayed quiet.

Watching.

“You touched it,” she said, stepping closer. “I know you did.”

Marcus shook his head. “We didn’t touch anything.”

“LIAR.”

The word came out sharp.

Explosive.

Her hands trembled at her sides.

“Give it back,” she said, her voice lower now—but more dangerous.

Ryan finally spoke.

“Nia, you need to calm down.”

“Don’t tell me to calm down!” she snapped.

Her chest rose and fell rapidly.

“You don’t get to control this,” Marcus added, his tone firm now. “This is wrong.”

That hit.

“Wrong?” she repeated.

“Yes,” he said. “Everything about this is wrong.”

Nia let out a short, broken laugh.

“You think I care?” she said.

“You should,” Ryan replied.

“I don’t.”

Silence.

Marcus stepped forward.

“You’re hurting yourself.”

“I’m helping myself,” she shot back.

“That’s not help,” he said. “That’s destruction.”

Her eyes flashed.

“Stop acting like you know what I need.”

“I know you need help,” Marcus snapped.

A pause.

Then—

“You’re crazy, Nia. You need help.”

The words hung in the air.

Too loud.

Too real.

Everything stopped.

Nia went still.

Her expression changed slowly.

“Okay…” she said quietly.

Marcus frowned slightly. “Nia—”

“You think I’m crazy?” she continued.

Her voice was calm now.

Too calm.

“Okay.”

Ryan’s posture shifted.

Something felt wrong.

Very wrong.

“Let’s not do this,” he said carefully.

But Nia was already moving.

“I'm going to show you crazy.”

She turned.

Walked out of the room.

Marcus took a step forward. “Nia—”

Too late.

She came back seconds later.

A golf club in her hand.

Her father’s.

For a split second—

No one moved.

Then—

CRASH.

Glass shattered against the wall.

“Nia, stop!” Marcus shouted.

Another swing.

CRASH.

“YOU CALL ME CRAZY?!” she yelled.

Another.

“I’LL SHOW YOU CRAZY!”

Glass exploded across the floor.

Tables. Decorations. Anything in reach.

Ryan stepped forward carefully. “Nia, put it down.”

She didn’t even look at him.

Another swing.

CRASH.

Her breathing was wild now.

Uncontrolled.

“YOU DON’T GET TO TELL ME WHAT I AM!” she screamed.

Marcus tried again. “This isn’t you!”

“THIS IS ME!” she snapped.

Another swing.

CRASH.

Silence hit after that.

Nothing left to break nearby.

The room—

Destroyed.

Nia stood in the middle of it.

Chest heaving.

Hands gripping the club tightly.

For a moment—

No one spoke.

Then—

She dropped it.

The sound echoed.

Her eyes moved between them.

Marcus.

Ryan.

“You wanted crazy,” she said, her voice shaking now. “There it is.”

And just like that—

She turned.

Walked out.

The door slammed behind her.

Silence filled the house again.

Marcus stood frozen.

Ryan exhaled slowly, his jaw tight.

“…We’re losing her,” Marcus said quietly.

Ryan didn’t respond.

Because deep down—

He knew.

They already had.