Chapter 5
I did not go back that night.
Mia took me to her apartment.
I slept on her couch under three blankets and woke every hour hearing Evelyn’s hand crack across my face.
At dawn, Robert called.
“Daniel and Evelyn are refusing to leave.”
I sat up.
“Can they?”
“No. The trust terms are clear.”
Mia grabbed her coat.
“Good. I’ve been waiting to evict someone before breakfast.”
By nine, we stood outside the house with police, Robert, and a locksmith.
Evelyn opened the door wearing pearls and fury.
“You cannot do this.”
Robert handed her the notice.
“Your right of residence terminated last night.”
Daniel appeared behind her.
“Claire, please. Mom has nowhere to go.”
“She has three sisters and my money.”
His face flushed.
“I made mistakes.”
“No. You made transfers.”
The officer stepped forward.
“Ma’am, you need to gather essentials.”
Evelyn’s mouth opened.
No sound came.
For the first time, she understood the word no.
It did not ask for her approval.
She packed badly.
Loudly.
Breaking small things that were now mine.
The officer warned her once.
She stopped.
Daniel tried to take Arthur’s watch.
Robert blocked him.
“That belongs to Claire under the trust inventory.”
Daniel looked at me.
“You don’t even want it.”
I remembered Arthur pressing that watch into my hand when pain made him shake.
For kindness, he had whispered.
“Yes,” I said. “I do.”
By noon, they stood on the porch with suitcases.
Evelyn stared at the house like betrayal had bricks.
May you like
I closed the door.
Then I changed every lock.
