Chapter 2

There was a police station right at the entrance of the neighborhood. When I walked in, the officer on duty looked up and asked what I needed.

I spread out photos of the property deed, my ID, my wedding certificate, and the pictures I'd taken of the master bedroom on the desk.

I said, "Someone came into my house without my permission and used my stuff."

After checking the photos, the officer asked, "Is your husband there?"

"Yeah," I said.

"Are your in-laws there too?"

"Yeah."

"Did you give that woman permission to stay in your place?"

"No," I said, keeping my voice steady. "I want them out now, and I want you to document any damage or use of my things."

The officer gave me a look. He'd probably seen too many family disputes to ask any more questions. "We'll go with you."

On the way back, Adam called me six times. I didn't pick up a single one.

When the seventh call came in, I put my phone on silent.

The elevator doors opened, and the front door was still open. I could hear Linda's voice from inside. "She's spoiled by her dad.

"Once a woman gets married, why bother with 'yours' and 'mine' anymore?

"So what if the house is in her name? Adam's her husband. It's only natural for a husband to live in his wife's house!"

Emily tried to calm her down. "Linda, please don't be upset. Charlotte probably misunderstood me."

Richard snorted. "Misunderstood what? It's a couple of her things. What's the big deal? If she really knew how to behave, she'd let you stay for a few days."

I stood at the doorway, listening to all of it, then finally knocked. The living room went dead silent.

Adam rushed to the door, and when he saw the cops behind me, his face drained of color. "Charlotte, have you lost your mind?"

Linda stormed out, still holding a plate of food, oil dripping onto the floor. "The police? You actually called the cops on us?"

The officer showed his badge. "Who's the owner of this house?"

"I am," I said.

The officer glanced inside. "She's saying someone who doesn't live here entered her house and used her personal belongings without her permission."

Emily was standing in the doorway of the master bedroom, her face turning ghostly pale. She was still clutching my perfume, and hadn't even bothered to put the cap back on.

The officer looked over at her. "Could you put that down, please?"

Emily's hand trembled so much the perfume bottle nearly slipped from her fingers.

Adam stepped in front of her. "Officer, this is a private family matter. She's my friend, just visiting."

I said, "This is my house. I didn't ask her to come.

"She went into my master bedroom, used my lipstick, foundation, and perfume, and even let her dog jump on my bed."

Linda immediately started shouting, "What do you mean, your house?

"You're married to Adam now, so this is a home for both of you!

"So what if I let a guest in?"

The officer looked at me. "Was the house bought before you got married?"

I nodded. "I paid for it in full before we got married. The deed's only in my name. My dad covered the cost, and there's a bank transfer record to prove it."

Adam's face darkened even more. He lowered his voice. "Charlotte, do you have to humiliate me in front of everyone?"

I looked straight at him. "Did you ever think about how humiliating it was for me when you brought your first love into our bedroom?"

The living room went dead silent.

Richard finally put down the remote. "First love?"

Emily's eyes filled with tears. "Richard, it's not like that. Adam and I are ancient history. I just came by to see Linda today."

I shot her a look. "So, visiting Linda means you get to use my vanity too?

"Visiting Linda means you can use my lipstick?

"Visiting Linda means your dog gets to mess up my bed?"

Emily's lips moved, but she couldn't get a word out.

The officer said calmly, "Since the owner wants you to leave, please pack up your stuff and head out.

"If anything of hers gets damaged, you guys can settle compensation later."

Linda exploded. "Why should Emily have to leave?

"She's a young girl who got to the country, with no family or friends. Isn't that sad?"

I shot back, "If you feel so sorry for her, why don't you let her stay at your place?"

Linda jabbed a finger at me. "But this is my son's house!"

I pulled out a copy of the property deed and slapped it down on the coffee table. "Read it carefully. Owner: Charlotte Summers. Not Adam. And definitely not you."

Adam suddenly grabbed my wrist. "That's enough!"

I looked down at his hand.

The officer stepped forward. "Please let go of her."

Adam froze.

I peeled his fingers off my wrist one by one. "Adam, this is the first time, and it'll be the last."

Emily, eyes red, started packing up her things. Her little dog was still sniffing around the bed.

I walked over, grabbed the leash, and handed it to her. "Take your dog and go."

Emily bit her lip. "Charlotte, I really didn't mean to come between you two."

I looked at her. "Then quit acting all pitiful around my husband."

Her face went stiff.

Linda slammed her hand on the table, furious. "Charlotte, if you dare kick Emily out today, I'll have Adam divorce you!"

I turned around. "Fine. Tomorrow at nine, at the courthouse."

Adam's head snapped up, his eyes wide with shock.

I didn't even look at him. I just stared straight at Linda. "But before we get divorced, all of you need to get out of my house."