Chapter 7 Just Suck It Up
“No way, I don’t agree!”
The moment money was on the table, Laurel was the first to jump in, stomping her feet in protest.
Wyatt’s temper flared too. Before the accident, he wasn’t even 40 yet–he was the head of this family, the one everyone listened to.
Who had ever dared defy him in this house?
“Get out of my sight! Who do you think you are?
“If you don’t agree, then you and those two brats can get out. This is my house!”
“You’re just going to kick your grandkids out?
“Damian, are you seeing this? Look at your dad!”
Laurel’s face flushed red with frustration. Whenever she felt wronged, her instinct was always to look for me–Damian’s temper came straight from Wyatt, and in this family, I was always the one to speak up for her, to stand in her corner.
But now, I wasn’t on her side anymore.
She caught my gaze, but quickly looked away, biting down hard on her lip.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, one after another, but in this family, not a soul cared.
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Chapter 7 Just Suck It Up
Wyatt couldn’t stand Damian’s silence. He slapped his leg, his voice booming. “I said we’re getting divorced! This house is worth a fortune- you pay your mom her half, and she moves out today! I want to see where she thinks she can go!
“And when you’re crying on my doorstep, don’t expect any sympathy!”
Even though I’d long since given up hope on these people, hearing those words still chilled me to the bone.
Damian was about to speak, but Wyatt cut him off coldly. “If you can’t come up with the money, then you, your wife, and your kids can all move
out.
“I’ll sell the house today and buy Ezra a little place of her own.”
Ezra’s eyes lit up instantly. She plopped herself right into his lap, purring, “Babe, you’re the best. Let’s do that.”
Damian panicked. “What about us, Dad?”
Wyatt finally dropped the pretense. “You? Not my problem.”
He was all smiles, playing finger games with Ezra, not even sparing Damian a glance.
I folded my arms, watching the circus unfold.
Damian and Laurel huddled together, faces dark, whispering furiously.
I caught snatches of their conversation-“new house,” “redevelopment“— until finally Laurel spoke up, “Okay, this house is worth 130,000 dollars right now. We’ll give you 15,000, and write you an IOU for 50,000, paid off with my dad’s pension.”
I looked at her calculating face and laughed.
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Chapter 7 Just Suck It Up
“No deal. I want the full amount, paid in one lump sum.”
What a clever scheme–they’d strip me to the bone if they could.
Damian’s face turned black as thunder. But if they sold the house, there was no way they could afford a new one, not anytime soon.
Damian was all about appearances. He blew his whole paycheck on a luxury car, and the family lived off my hard work, never saving a dime.
Without this house, they’d be out on the street.
Damian tried to coax Laurel, “This house is my dad’s. How much longer can he live? Sooner or later, it’ll all be mine. Just suck it up for now. You know everything will go to me in the end.”
They were openly discussing how long Wyatt might have left, right in front of him, as if he didn’t exist.
Wyatt heard every word, and his face twisted with anger.
I could tell, once I was out of the picture, this house would be a battleground for the rest of them.
And Ezra wasn’t any better than the rest.
After a long, tense negotiation, Laurel finally said, “Nicole, the best we can do is 50,000 for the house.”
They’d just slashed 15,000 dollars off the offer. I figured that was pretty much the bottom of their savings.
“Fifty five thousand. Wyatt’s care is your responsibility.
“Take it or leave it. If you say no, don’t come asking again. I won’t ever step foot in here again.”
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All three of their faces were ugly, Wyatt’s especially–he was so angry his whole face turned purple, grinding out, “Fine! Take it! You’re so damn annoying! Who’d want an old hag like you anyway?”
Damian finally, reluctantly, transferred 50,000 dollars, watching as his father and I signed the papers.
The cooling–off period passed in a flash, and on the day we finalized everything, the last 5,000 dollars landed in my account.
As I was about to leave, Damian couldn’t hide his irritation. “Mom, pack your things. You need to move out today.”
“No need. I already moved out.”
Leaving them all dumbfounded, I slung my bag over my shoulder and walked away without looking back.
