CHAPTER 3: THE EVICTION
The room exploded.
Chloe screamed.
Jason suddenly found his voice.
"Hannah, maybe we should all calm down."
I laughed.
Now he wanted to speak?
Robert interrupted.
"There is one final matter."
Everyone froze again.
"The trust includes a breach clause."
Mom frowned.
"What breach?"
Robert answered without emotion.
"If Mrs. Brooks attempts to remove Hannah from the property..."
He glanced toward the still-open front door.
"...she immediately forfeits her right to live here."
Mom's knees nearly gave out.
"No..."
Robert nodded.
"I'm afraid that already happened."
Chloe slammed her fist onto the table.
"This is ridiculous!"
"It's legally binding."
My mother turned toward me.
"Hannah..."
For the first time that night...
She sounded afraid.
"I'm your mother."
I stared at her.
"You weren't acting like one ten minutes ago."
She burst into tears.
"I'm sorry."
But something felt different.
Not regret.
Fear.
Fear of losing the house.
Fear of losing comfort.
Not fear of losing me.
I quietly walked to the front door.
Then held it open.
"You told me to get out."
I smiled sadly.
"I think you should leave instead."
The silence that followed was louder than any argument.
One by one...
The neighbors slipped outside.
Jason avoided my eyes.
Then followed them.
Without a word.
May you like
I watched him disappear.
Some people leave long before they walk away.
