CHAPTER 6 — THE NIGHT THEY TRIED TO REWRITE REALITY
The next morning, they were still there.
Not because they believed they were welcome.
Because people like Doug and Marlene don’t leave easily.
They wait for doubt.
They wait for guilt.
They wait for the moment you remember you were raised to feel obligated.
Scott found Marlene in the kitchen making coffee.
Like she still belonged there.
“You can’t just erase family,” she said without turning.
Scott leaned against the counter.
“I’m not erasing you.”
A pause.
“I’m removing access.”
That confused her.
Because entitlement understands emotion.
It doesn’t understand boundaries.
Doug appeared behind her.
“You’re going to regret this.”
Scott nodded.
“No.”
A pause.
“I already regret letting you stay after Janet died.”
That name changed the air.
Because Janet had been the only reason this house ever felt like something other than inheritance damage.
At 8:12 a.m., Scott received a call from Child Medical Services.
A standard follow-up.
Routine check.
But what they told him wasn’t routine.
“Sir, we received a flagged report regarding missed urgent medication pickup authorization last night.”
Scott froze.
“What report?”
A pause.
“From a family member who identified themselves as secondary caregiver.”
Scott already knew.
His mother.
The system had been used.
May you like
Not for protection.
For control.
