I didn’t know they were planning something much worse behind the scenes.
Last Wednesday, I came home from running errands and found Julia and my mom waiting on my porch. Matching smug smiles. Coordinated beige trench coats. It looked like they were about to film a reality show.
“Hi Clare,” Julia said sweetly. “We need to talk.”
Against my better judgment, I let them in.
They didn’t even wait for me to sit down.
“We’re here to give you notice,” Julia said, pulling out a manila folder. “As of this week, the house is in my name. You need to vacate by Friday.”
I blinked. “Excuse me?”
My mother chimed in. “It’s been handled legally. There were debts you didn’t know about. Julia stepped in and bought the house to resolve them.”
“That’s ridiculous. There were no debts. I had the estate professionally audited.”
“Says you,” Julia snapped. “We used a proper firm. Blackwood and Associates.”
I opened the folder. The paperwork looked… off. Blurry seal. Misaligned signature. But I didn’t say anything. Not yet.
“And where exactly am I supposed to go?” I asked.
“That’s not really our concern,” Julia said with a tight smile. “But you’ll figure it out. You’re resourceful.”
My father showed up not long after, leaning in the doorway.
“This is for the best,” he said. “Julia’s starting a new chapter. She needs stability. You’ll bounce back.”
I looked at them, calmly. “You truly think I’d let this happen after everything I’ve discovered?”
Julia’s smile faltered. “What do you mean?”
“You’ll see.”
