Chapter 4
The next day, the first potential buyers arrived. Alex was efficient, bringing a middle-aged couple who seemed genuinely interested in buying the house.
I sat in the bedroom, holding the baby, listening to Alex's enthusiastic voice drifting in from the living room. "Check out this living room. It's south-facing, open and airy.
"The renovation was done only a few years ago, all top-notch materials, and there are no weird smells or anything."
My wound still throbbed, and every move felt like it was tearing open again. But I had to tough it out.
The couple spent a long time checking out the place. They were clearly satisfied. As they were leaving, the woman peeked at me through the crack in the bedroom door, her eyes filled with pity.
I met her gaze with a blank expression. I didn't need anyone's pity.
After they left, Alex burst in, practically bouncing with excitement. "Mrs. Evans, that couple is really serious. They've already put down a deposit. They said they love how clean and ready-to-move-in this place is."
"Let them hash out the price with the next group," I said.
"Next group?" Alex blinked, caught off guard.
"Yeah, didn't you say there's another group coming this afternoon?"
"Well, but Mrs. Evans, their offer is already close to your target price."
"I'm not looking for close. I want the highest offer."
My calm attitude made Alex a bit intimidated. He nodded and kept quiet.
That afternoon, the second group showed up, a young couple about to tie the knot. They checked out the place, listened to Alex's sales pitch, and handed over their earnest money, like the first group.
I compared the two offers side by side. The middle-aged couple offered the highest price, but they wanted us to leave all the furniture and appliances behind.
The young couple's offer was 15,000 dollars less, but they said we could move out whenever we wanted. They didn't want any of our stuff.
I didn't hesitate. I picked the young couple.
Alex was at a loss. "Mrs. Evans, that's 15,000 dollars! All that old furniture and stuff isn't worth anywhere near that much."
"I'm selling the house, not everything that makes up my life," I replied. I didn't want to leave anything behind.
Alex looked at me, then let out a sigh. "Alright, it's your call. I'll go sort out the details with them."
Just then, my phone rang. It was an unknown number. I picked up.
"Hello, Amelia? It's your mother-in-law," Linda's voice came on, sounding super pleased with herself. "Richard and I are at the beach. The weather's gorgeous. Must be tough, huh, taking care of the baby all alone?"
She was so loud, I could even hear David in the background shouting, "Mom, come check this out. There's a pearl vendor over here!"
"Not really," I said, keeping my tone cool.
"That's good. You know, that's a woman's job, right? Always giving everything for the family. Taking care of the baby is your biggest achievement. We'll be back in a few days, and we've got you a big pearl necklace from here. It's pretty."
She sounded like she was showing off how generous she thought she was, as if she was doing me a favor.
Listening to her, my gaze drifted over the house that was about to stop being mine. "Is that so?" I murmured. "Then you'd better come back soon."
If they waited any longer, they might not be able to step inside anymore.
"Alright, alright. You worry too much. I'm hanging up now. We're off to a big seafood dinner." With that, she hung up.
I set my phone down and turned to Alex. "Tell the couple that if they sign the contract today, I'll knock another 3,000 dollars off the total price."
Alex's eyes went wide with excitement. "Seriously, Mrs. Evans?"
"Yeah."
"Awesome! I'm on it." He shot out of the room like a whirlwind.
With the baby in my arms, I walked over to the window.
Downstairs, Alex was on the phone, practically bouncing with excitement.
Linda's number was still sitting in my phone, unsaved. I stared at it for a moment, then deleted it.
I was clearing out everything from this house, piece by piece, including every trace they ever left behind.