Chapter 4

In the days that followed, Morton sent me plenty of texts demanding money, but I ignored every one of them. His tone gradually shifted from self-righteous to pleading.

It wasn't until a month later that Morton couldn't hold back and called me.

"It's been so long now, and I apologized. Isn't it time you moved on?"

I made a small sound of agreement.

"I moved on a long time ago."

After all, if I got angry at a fake person and held a grudge against a fake person, wouldn't that make me the crazy one too?

Morton breathed a sigh of relief.

"Good."

"The wedding house you bought me a couple of years ago is ready — you can pick up the property title tomorrow. You promised back then you'd put the house in both my name and Georgette's."

"I'm calling to remind you to go to the property title office at ten thirty tomorrow morning. Don't forget."

I wasn't angry. I just made another small sound.

"Don't worry, how could I forget something this big?"

"I'll definitely be there tomorrow."

Hearing that, Morton's voice turned even lighter.

"I was actually worried you'd still be sore about the car dealership thing, but hearing you say that puts my mind at ease."

"The house is delivered as a bare shell. I don't know anything about renovations and I don't have the money, so you have to take care of finishing it for us. The place is big enough, but I only plan to renovate four rooms."

"Georgette and I will take the master bedroom, the second bedroom goes to my parents, then one study and one nursery."

Seeing me stay silent, even letting out a mocking little laugh, Morton got a bit awkward.

"I know I originally promised to save a room for you, but Mom and Dad think you'll bully Georgette, so they insist on moving in. I can't be unfilial — cut me some slack!"

"Also, the car—"

Seeing that Morton was about to go on and on, I cut in quickly.

"Whatever it is, we'll talk in person tomorrow. I need to rest."

Seven:

At ten thirty the next morning, Morton showed up at the property title office right on time with the three Sawyers.

When Georgette saw that I was already sitting there waiting, the look on her face couldn't have been more smug.

"I thought you'd use the transfer to hold us up, but I guess you actually know what you can and can't do!"

"The car was a small thing, after all. But if you didn't give us back the house, we really would've gotten furious!"

Matthew and Celeste tried to look aloof, but at the thought of finally moving out of their cramped old place and into a fully furnished big house, the smiles were impossible to hide.

"You've really done us proud — we didn't misjudge you. Turns out you know how to behave!"

"Don't worry, even though we're taking the room you originally set aside for yourself, the door to the maid's room will always be open for you if you ever want to come visit!"

My expression stayed calm. But Morton is my son. He knows that the angrier I get, the smaller the matter, and the calmer I am, the bigger it is — so he felt a little uneasy.

"Let's not get into all that right now."

"Let's grab a number and do the transfer first, so we don't keep them from getting off work!"

"Where's your purchase contract from back then? Take it out so we can handle the transfer."

I didn't move. I just spread my hands.

"No need to bother. The transfer was already done before you got here."

Morton and Georgette stared at each other.

"It's done?"

"But we never gave you our documents. How could you process the transfer?"

"Right, we have to be present in person to do a transfer. You're not joking, are you? Show me the property title."

I smiled.

"The property title isn't with me."

The four of them looked back and forth at one another, none of them understanding what I meant, all wearing the exact same baffled expression, pressing me over and over about what I meant.

I smiled.

"I sold the house to someone else. As long as the new owner and I are present, that's all it takes — what does it have to do with you?"