Chapter 1

It was eleven o'clock at night. Tess Grant had just finished her shower, her hair still dripping wet, when the doorbell rang.

She glanced through the peephole and froze.

Standing outside were three people—her ex-husband, Michael Lane, her ex-mother-in-law, Helen Lane, and the last person she ever wanted to see again, Sophie Winters.

Michael was wearing a crumpled shirt, the top two buttons undone, his hair a mess. He looked nothing like the wealthy trust fund kid she used to know, who was always sharp and well-dressed.

Helen still had that sharp, mean look, her lips pressed into a thin line, her wrinkles carved deep lines into her face. Sophie stood at the back, wearing a creamy cashmere coat, her eyes red and puffy, looking all pitiful.

Tess didn't open the door.

She headed back to the living room, grabbed her hair dryer, and went back to drying her hair.

The doorbell rang up again, this time relentlessly, like it was trying to summon her soul.

"Tess, I know you're in there. The lights are on." Helen's sharp voice cut through the door. "Open up! Unless you give me an answer tonight, I'm not leaving!"

Tess turned off the hair dryer and checked her phone. It was 11:15 p.m.

She grabbed her phone and sent a quick message to the property manager: [Can you send someone up? I'm being harassed.]

Then she took her time drying her hair, changed into some comfy clothes, and finally made her way to the door.

The moment she opened it, Helen nearly stumbled right in.

"What are you doing here so late?" Tess leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, clearly not planning to let them in.

Once Helen steadied herself, she glanced past Tess's shoulder into the room. When she saw the brand-new furniture and the cozy yellow lighting in the living room, her expression twisted.

"Tess, we're here to discuss something with you," Helen said, clearing her throat and trying to soften her tone. "Let us in. Let's talk inside."

"No need. Just say it here," Tess replied, not budging. "It's already eleven. I'm a single woman living alone. I don't feel comfortable letting three strangers into my home this late at night."

"Strangers?" Michael finally spoke, his voice hoarse. "Tess, we've only been divorced for five months. Are you seriously treating me like a stranger already?"

Tess glanced at him, her eyes calm, like she was just at another person on the street.

"We've got the divorce papers. Of course we are strangers now," she replied.

Michael was left speechless, his face flushing red.

Just then, Sophie stepped forward from behind, gently tugging on Michael's sleeve and whispering, "Michael, don't get worked up. Let's talk this through."

Then she turned to Tess, putting on her most pitiful look. "Tess, I'm really sorry for bothering you so late. We really had no other choice, we—"

"Don't talk to me like that," Tess cut her off. "We're not close at all."

Sophie's face froze.

Helen couldn't take it anymore. She shoved Sophie aside and marched right up to Tess. "Tess, don't push your luck. We're here to do you a favor. Don't be ungrateful."

"A favor?" Tess laughed. "What kind of favor?"

Helen took a deep breath, like she was holding back a tidal wave of emotion. "You need to hand over this apartment."

The air went dead silent.

Tess wondered if she'd heard right. "What did you just say?"

"I said, you need to hand over this apartment," Helen repeated, each word sharp and clear, like she was reading out a verdict. "Sophie's pregnant with Michael's kid.

"Your old place got mortgaged by Michael's dad, so now Sophie has nowhere to stay. This place was paid for by the Lane family. You're not one of us, so why should you get to keep it?"

Tess froze for a few seconds, and then laughed.

It wasn't a bitter laugh or a sneer. She genuinely found it hilarious, because the whole thing was so absurd.

"Helen, have you gone senile?" Tess said, still laughing. "This apartment was awarded to me by the court. It's all there in the court judgment, plain as day. Want to take a look?"

"Bullshit!" Helen's voice shot up. "It was paid by the Lane family! You're just an outsider, and after the divorce, you still want to take advantage of us? Aren't you ashamed of yourself?"

"Paid by the Lane family?" Tess's smile disappeared, her tone turning cold. "Mrs. Lane, let me make this clear. This apartment came from my own assets before marriage.

"My parents bought me a small place, and after the wedding, I sold it, added extra money, and upgraded to this bigger one. Michael didn't contribute a single dollar.

"The court judgment spells it out in black and white. Should I frame it and hang it above your bed so you can read it every night?"