Chapter 2
Misty was munching on a skewer of sizzling pork, her lips glistening with grease as she devoured it.
She barely glanced up when I walked in, lifting her eyelids in a lazy way.
"Well, Julia, you're back?" Misty said.
She spoke as if she were in the right.
It felt like she was the real owner of the house.
"Perfect timing. The dirty dishes are stacked over there. Go wash them," Misty commanded.
I stared at the ridiculous scene before me, my whole body trembling with anger.
My home, my belongings, and everything had been plundered and ruined by these intruders who'd taken over like it was theirs.
I pointed at Misty, my voice shaking with rage.
"This is my house!" I shouted.
Rita was gnawing on a chicken wing. She let out a cold laugh and spat out the bone.
Rita sneered, "Julia, did you forget?
"My brother's name is on the deed too.
"That means this house belongs to the Booth family.
"So it makes sense for us to live in our own home!"
*****
I scoffed, "The Booth family's house?"
I couldn't help but let out a sarcastic laugh, fury simmering beneath the surface.
I shot back, "Did the Booth family ever pay a dime for the down payment or the mortgage?
"My dad bought this house outright as a wedding gift for me, and the deed is in my name。
"Sterling begged me to add his name and said it would help him feel secure, so I gave in.
"And now you're using that as your excuse to take over like a bunch of freeloaders?"
Misty slammed her skewer down on the table, her robe sleeve greasy as hell.
Misty shot back, "Julia, what's with your attitude? What do you mean, we're taking over your place?
"My son is the head of this house. So what's wrong with his mother staying here for a while?
"You married my son, so you're part of the Booth family now. All your stuff is ours, naturally.
"Of course, we spend your money and live in your house. It's only right!"
Their shameless, bandit logic honestly blew my mind.
I was done wasting my breath on them.
I pulled out my phone and dialed 911.
"Hello, I'd like to report a break-in. Someone trespassed in my home and pried open my lock," I said.
Misty and Rita were both stunned by what I did.
They probably never thought I'd actually call the cops.
Misty was the first to snap out of it. She lunged at me, trying to snatch my phone.
Misty yelled, "Are you out of your mind? You don't air your family's dirty laundry in public. How dare you call the cops?
"Do you really want the whole neighborhood watching us make fools of ourselves?"
I sidestepped her greasy hand and gave her a cold, hard stare.
I snapped, "You are not my family.
"The second you changed my locks without asking, you became home invaders.
"There's no shame to hide when I'm dealing with thieves like you."
Rita stood up, pointing right in my face and shouting.
Rita snapped, "Julia, don't take kindness for weakness.
"My brother's coming back any minute. Wait till he gets here and see how he deals with you.
"You can't even give birth to a baby. How dare you call the police? You are so shameless."
Her kids followed her lead, making faces at me and spitting at me.
"Bad woman. Get out of our home!" they shouted.
I barely held back my nausea as I retreated to the doorway, waiting for the cops to arrive.
The cops showed up in no time.
As soon as the police walked in, Misty and Rita immediately put on their best innocent faces, acting like they were the ones being wronged.
Misty dropped herself onto the floor, wailing and slapping her thighs like she was putting on a show.
Misty sobbed, "Please, officer, you have to stand up for us.
"My daughter-in-law is downright evil.
"We came from the countryside to seek refuge, and instead of welcoming us, she called the police to have us thrown out.
"We're a widow with kids, lost in this city. She's leaving us with nowhere to go!"
Rita hugged her kid, sniffling and echoing Misty's complaints.
Rita whimpered, "Yeah, officer, my brother agreed to let us stay here.
"This house belongs to my brother, so it's only right we're here.
"Julia looks down on us country folks and thinks we're beneath her, so she's picking a fight with us."
They teamed up, spinning lies and turning the tables, making me out to be the villain.
The neighbors started sticking their heads out, hungry for gossip, whispering and pointing at me.
The lead officer frowned and turned his attention to me.
"Ma'am, did you call the police?" he asked.
I nodded and handed over my ID and a copy of the property deed.
I explained, "Officer, this house is my pre-marital property. My dad paid for it in full as a wedding gift.
"When I got back from a business trip, I found the locks were changed and a bunch of strangers had taken over my home.
"I want them out of my house right now."
The officer took the documents, looked them over, then fixed his gaze on Rita.