Chapter 2

Bernard's parents jumped in right behind them.

"That's right. A deal falling through doesn't mean you throw kindness out the window, and this is family we're talking about."

"Ina, sweetie, Auntie knows you're upset, but look, it's almost dark. Throwing your former mother-in-law and her son out on the street? Even if you had every right, it wouldn't sound good to anyone, would it?"

"How about this. You just got back from your trip, you must be worn out. Go inside and rest, let them stay one more night, and whatever needs sorting out can wait until tomorrow in daylight."

"Yes, yes, exactly. No sense in making a scene and disturbing the whole building."

They didn't give me a chance to say a word. One grabbed my suitcase, the other took me by the arm and steered me inside.

The second I stepped into the living room, fury shot through me.

The place was a wreck. Colored paint smeared across the walls in every direction, the couch I'd bought not long ago gray with footprints, and lying on top of it, a pair of Nat's underwear.

Shaking with anger, I rushed into the kitchen.

The floor and walls were streaked with yellow grease. The sink was piled high with unwashed pots and dishes, giving off a foul smell.

I hurried to the bathroom next, and the sharp reek of urine stung tears out of my eyes. A yellow stain pooled beside the toilet, and the sight of it made my chest burn. I whipped around and demanded of Paulette,

"This is how you live in my house?"

"Tch." She wasn't the least bit fazed.

"So it's a little dirty. You're back now, so clean it up. What's all the fuss about?"

The fuss?

My head buzzed.

I paid for this house, I paid to renovate it, and she'd waltzed right in with Nat, trashed the place, and now she expected me to be the one to clean it.

Looking at Paulette's face, I wanted nothing more than to slap it as hard as I could.

Seeing me look ready to devour her whole, Paulette's expression darkened at once.

"The walls were your brother-in-law here. The couch, he's the one who dirtied it. The mess in the bathroom, all him too."

"What? You planning to hold a grudge against a simpleton?"

I could hardly believe my ears.

So my house had been wrecked like this, and I wasn't even allowed to be angry?

"Paulette, Nat's a simpleton. Are you one too?"

"You—" Paulette thrust a finger at me. "How dare you talk to me like that. Nathaniel may have divorced you, but I'm a good deal older than you, I'm still your elder."

"Is that how your parents taught you to speak to your elders? No manners, the lot of you. No wonder Nathaniel didn't want you, went and found another woman while you were pregnant. Serves you right."

I was shaking with rage. I pointed straight in Paulette's face.

"Don't you dare pull the elder card on me. It's my house, I paid to renovate it, and you turned it into this. Old and shameless, and you've still got the nerve to tell me I've got no manners, no upbringing."

"Let me tell you, until my house is put back the way it was, this is not over."

With that I turned and went to find the property-management office.

There was no way Paulette could have moved in with Nat without them letting her.

I wanted to see exactly which one of them had taken what from her, and opened my door while the owner was away.