Chapter 3
Rita quickly pulled a property deed out of her bag.
Rita said, "Officer, look, my brother, Sterling's name is right here too.
"Since this is Sterling's house, it's totally legal for us to live here."
The officer compared the two property deeds. Both names were indeed listed.
He looked uneasy as he turned to me.
He said, "Ma'am, here's the situation.
"Since your husband's name is on the deed, this is considered joint family property.
"This is a family dispute, and the police are not in a position to intervene.
"We recommend you try to resolve this between yourselves first. If you can't reach an agreement, you may pursue legal action."
Misty and Rita instantly flashed smug grins.
Misty scrambled up from the floor and brushed herself off.
Misty said with a smirk, "Hear that? Even the cops say it's our family business.
"Pay the locksmith already. Don't interrupt our dinner."
Rita got even cockier, tilting her chin at me.
She sneered, "You think you can kick us out? Keep dreaming.
"Why don't you take us to court?"
The officer could only give me a helpless look and offer some advice.
He said, "Ma'am, you know how it is. Even a wise judge can't settle family drama.
"Maybe try talking to your husband first?"
I stared at their cocky faces, and felt a chill deep in my heart.
Talking to that indecisive man who brought trouble right into our home was hopeless.
Negotiating with these shameless, greedy bloodsuckers was even more useless.
I'd finally seen through them.
Expecting them to suddenly grow a conscience and leave on their own was impossible.
I nodded at the officer. "Alright, thanks. I know what I need to do now."
After seeing the police out, I closed the door behind me.
That shut out the nosy neighbors' curious stares.
Misty and Rita thought I'd finally caved, wearing smug, triumphant smiles.
Misty said, pointing bossily at the kitchen, "Glad you finally got it.
"Why are you standing there? Make dinner already!
"Can't you see all the chores piling up? Seriously, have some sense."
I didn't even bother responding to her and walked straight over to the couch.
The little brats were still bouncing on the sofa, scattering chip crumbs everywhere.
With a frosty expression, I strode over to the fuse box.
With a loud snap, I flipped the main breaker.
In an instant, the whole house was swallowed by darkness.
The electric grill shut off.
The TV screen went pitch black.
All I could hear in the living room were the kids shrieking as their cartoons abruptly disappeared.
One kid yelled, "Why did the power go out?
"My cartoons!"
Rita screamed, "Julia! What the hell did you do?"
In the darkness, I let out a cold smirk.
I said coolly, "Nothing.
"The place is a mess. It needs a serious deep clean.
"Since you all refuse to leave, let's see how you like living with no water or electricity."
Since they wanted to stay in my house, I would make sure they would have a hard time living in it.
*****
In the darkness, Misty and Rita's shrill curses cut through the air.
"Julia, you bitch! Are you insane?" Misty yelled.
Rita snapped, "Switch the power back on now.
"My phone's about to die. I'm gonna die without Wi-Fi!"
Rita's son was screaming his head off, so loud it felt like the roof might collapse.
I leaned against the wall, watching the circus unfold with a cold, detached gaze.
I said, "Want electricity? No problem.
"When you finally leave my house, that's when the lights come back on.
"Otherwise, we can all enjoy the darkness together."
Misty, furious, stumbled through the darkness, trying to take a swing at me.
But I was ready for her. I marched straight into my bedroom, slammed the door, and locked it tight.
This was my last stronghold.
They weren't setting foot in here.
Misty was banging on the door like crazy.
She yelled, "Open the door. Julia, let me in
"You are a heartless daughter-in-law. Are you trying to ruin our family legacy?"
I put on my headphones and blasted the music, turning the volume all the way up.
That blocked out all their racket from outside.
They raised hell for a while, but when they saw I was ignoring them, their voices faded away.
With no power, no Wi-Fi, and their phones dying fast, they were left stranded in the dark.
They used to have all the comforts of modern life. This was like hell on earth.
By the time night rolled around, Sterling finally came home.
Misty had called his office and had someone relay the message, so he rushed home in a panic.
As soon as he walked in, he saw the place was pitch black and looked like a war zone.
There were his mom and sister, both with faces twisted in rage.
Sterling blew up instantly.
He stormed over to my bedroom door and started pounding on it.
"Julia, get out of here right now!" he shouted.