Chapter 3

The next morning, there was no sign of them moving out.

Ethan called a locksmith, and I contacted the property management and the local police to witness the eviction.

When we arrived at the front door, Austin was holding his phone up, live-streaming on TikTok.

"Look, guys. This is my sister’s new house. Pretty nice, right?"

"But she’s kicking me out. She won't let me stay here."

"I'm her own brother, and I have a kid with nowhere to go. She’s so heartless."

He pointed the camera at Ethan and me.

"Chloe, are you really throwing us out? There are thousands of people watching this live stream. Aren't you afraid of the backlash?"

The comment section started rolling:

[Wow, this sister is cold-blooded.]

[She lives in a big house while her brother is homeless?]

I walked right up to the camera. "We bought this house with our own savings. The monthly mortgage is $4,800, and we spent $150,000 on renovations. My family didn't contribute a single dime."

"Austin is twenty-seven years old. He has no job and still relies on our parents to support his wife and kid."

"Now, he has broken into my house without my consent and refused to leave."

"Let me ask you all: should I be forced to pay for his laziness and incompetence?"

The tone in the chat instantly shifted:

[Wait, twenty-seven, unemployed, and leeching off his sister?]

[He stole her wedding house? Where is his shame?]

[Get them out, girl! Call the cops!]

Austin’s face turned bright red. He shut down the live stream and yelled at me, "Are you out of your mind? Why are you airing our dirty laundry to the world?"

Just then, Helen and Richard arrived in a hurry.

Helen grabbed my arm tightly. "Chloe! If you dare change the locks today, I’ll kill myself right in front of you!"

The police officer stepped in. "Ma'am, this property belongs to your daughter. She has the legal right to decide who lives here."

"Your son moved in without permission. That is unlawful entry."

"What legal right!" Helen screamed, throwing a tantrum. "I gave birth to her! What’s hers is mine! I have every right to let my son live here!"

Richard pointed a finger at Ethan. "And you! You’re not even married to her yet, and you’re already turning my daughter against her family! What right do you have to interfere in our family business?"

Ethan remained completely calm. "Sir, Chloe is my fiancée. Her rights are my rights."

"This house is our joint property. Your son has no right to be here."

"They are leaving today, or we are filing charges for illegal occupation."

"Filing charges?" Helen shrieked. "You’re going to sue your own brother? You ungrateful bitch!"

"Chloe, if you let him touch that lock today, you are no longer my daughter!"

I looked at her face.

The face of the woman whose love and approval I had craved for my entire life. Right now, it was twisted with greed and entitlement.

My heart was completely dead.

I spoke slowly, "You're right, Mom. As of today, you no longer have a daughter."

Helen gasped.

I turned to the locksmith. "Change the locks. Officers, property manager, please witness this."

"Everything inside that doesn't belong to me, please help us put it out in the hallway. If they don't take it, throw it in the trash."

"How dare you, Chloe!"

Richard raised his hand to slap me, but the officer quickly restrained him.

Austin lunged at me, but Ethan grabbed him and held him back.

In the chaos, Helen sat on the floor, wailing, "What did I do to deserve this? I raised a monster! She chose a man over her own mother!"

The locks were changed anyway.

All of Austin’s belongings were bagged up and piled in the hallway.

Lily held her crying baby, sobbing and cursing me for being heartless.

I stood inside my newly secured home, looking at my furious family through the doorway.

"The wedding is still on. But none of you are invited."