Chapter 4
Sterling shouted, "What the hell do you want? They're my family.
"Is this how you treat them? How could you?"
I opened the door and looked at him coldly.
I shot back, "How could I?
"Sterling, how could you?
"How could you bring a bunch of people into our home without my permission?
"How could you let them change the locks and turn my place upside down?
"How could you have the nerve to question me?"
Sterling was stunned, unable to say a word. His face kept switching between red and pale, showing how rattled he was.
Misty was right there, stirring things up.
Misty shouted, "Sterling, look at her. Can you believe the way she's acting?
"We came all this way to see you, and she didn't even offer us a hot meal. She even shut off the power.
"She's trying to put us in our place.
"Why did I ever let you marry such a cold-blooded woman?"
Rita joined in, tears streaming down her face.
Rita cried, "Sterling, look at my kids. They're bawling their eyes out because they're starving.
"We want to crash here for a bit, until we land some jobs. Then we'll get out of your hair.
"Julia is so cold. She doesn't care about anyone."
Sterling felt torn up inside as he listened to his mom and sister crying.
He shot me a look, full of disappointment and judgment.
Sterling said, "Julia, I really thought you were different.
"I figured you were understanding, but I never imagined you'd be this cold.
"They will only be here for a few days. Do we really have to blow things up like this?
"Go turn the power back on, then make dinner for everyone. You need to apologize to them.
I was so angry that I almost burst out laughing.
I asked, "You want me to apologize to them? Are you out of your mind, Sterling?
"You're the ones who should be apologizing.
"Take your family and get out of my house right now.
"If you don't get out, I'll see you in court!"
At the mention of court, Sterling's expression darkened.
But he stubbornly held his head high, refusing to back down.
He retorted, "Julia, don't try to threaten me.
"My name's on the deed too. I get to decide who stays here. It's not up to you.
"I'm telling you right now, Mom and everyone are staying, whether you like it or not.
"If you can't stand it, then leave!"
I was shocked.
I couldn't believe that he said that to me.
I looked at the man standing in front of me. He felt like a total stranger.
This was the man I insisted on marrying, even when my father tried to stop me.
Sterling used to be honest, respectful to his parents, and would do anything I asked.
I thought I'd found someone I could trust with my whole life.
But now, I realized I must've been blind.
All that devotion to his family was mindless obedience.
His so-called honesty was being spineless.
He only ever listened to me because I never touched his family's bottom line.
But the moment his family came into the picture, I was another expendable outsider he could sacrifice whenever it suited him, though I was his wife.
My heart froze to its core.
I said, "Sterling, you have made your decision.
"Don't regret this."
I headed back to my room and grabbed my phone.
Making sure they could see, I dialed a number right in front of them.
"Dad," I said.
My father's steady voice came through the phone.
"Julia, what's wrong?" he asked.
My voice was quivering, but I fought hard to keep the tears from falling.
I said, "Dad, the house you bought for me has been taken over.
"Sterling brought his family over. They've completely occupied my place.
"They changed the locks, shut me out, and now they're trying to throw me out for good."
There was a long silence on the other end.
I could practically feel my father's anger simmering beneath the surface.
After a few seconds, he finally spoke, his voice low and steady. "Send me the address.
"I'm on my way."
*****
After hanging up, I felt steady again, like I finally had backup.
Sterling and his family looked at each other, totally stunned that I'd called my dad.
Misty curled her lip and muttered under her breath.
"All this fuss, and she has to call her dad? How childish," Misty grumbled.
Sterling looked pretty uncomfortable.
He knew my dad's temper all too well.
Back when we got married, my dad wasn't exactly thrilled about Sterling.
He thought Sterling's family was nothing special and that he was too much of a pushover. My father worried I'd end up getting hurt if I married him.
I had to beg and plead. Sterling made all kinds of promises before my dad finally agreed.
After all this mess, it was obvious that my father would be furious.
Sterling said, "Julia, did you really have to blow things up like this?
"Do you really have to drag your dad into this? It's awkward.
"Can't we settle this between ourselves?"
I scoffed coldly.
"Handle it ourselves?" I shot back.