Chapter 8 - The Clearing of the House
Wednesday arrived, the deadline I had set for Chloe and Beatrice to vacate the Queens house.
I arrived at the property at 12:05 PM, accompanied by Arthur, two movers I had hired, and a local sheriff's deputy to ensure there was no violence.
The dented minivan was still in the driveway, but it was being loaded with trash bags and cardboard boxes. Chloe was standing in the front yard, holding her youngest child, her face red from crying. Beatrice was sitting on the porch steps, looking older and defeated, her usual arrogance replaced by a bitter, sour scowl.
"You've ruined us," Beatrice hissed as I walked up the driveway. "My daughter has to move into a cheap motel because of you. My grandchildren have no home."
"Your daughter had a home, Beatrice," I said, stopping a few feet away. "But she wanted a free ride. You thought you could steal from my parents because you thought they were weak. You thought because they were quiet, they wouldn't fight back. You forgot that they have me."
"We will sue you for illegal eviction!" Chloe screamed. "We have rights!"
"You have the right to remain silent, Chloe," the deputy said, stepping forward. "Your lease was fraudulent, and we have a court-ordered ejectment. If you do not finish loading that van and leave the property in the next ten minutes, you will be arrested for trespassing."
Beatrice stood up slowly, her body shaking with rage. She walked down the steps, stopping right in front of me. "You think you've won, Emily? Daniel will get half of everything you have in the divorce. He will take your money, your apartment, and your precious pride."
"Actually, Beatrice," Arthur spoke up, stepping forward with a calm, professional smile. "Under the terms of the prenuptial agreement that Daniel signed—and yes, he did sign one, even if he didn't tell you—any assets acquired solely by Emily prior to or during the marriage remain her sole property. Furthermore, due to the criminal fraud and elder abuse charges currently pending against him, the court is highly likely to award Emily a hundred percent of the joint assets to cover the damages inflicted upon her parents. Daniel will leave this marriage with nothing but his debts and a criminal record."
Beatrice’s mouth opened, but no sound came out. She looked at Chloe, then back at me, realizing that their parasitic hold on my life was completely, utterly broken.
May you like
Without another word, they climbed into the dented minivan and slammed the doors. The engine sputtered to life, and they drove away, leaving a trail of exhaust in the cold February air.
I walked up the porch steps and opened the door to the house. It was dirty, cluttered, and smelled of stale fast food. But as I looked at the empty rooms, I felt a deep sense of peace. The rot was gone. Now, we could begin to clean.
