Chapter 5
I said, "So your so-called solution is for me to put up with it and let your family trample all over mine?
"Sterling, let me make this clear. No way.
"Today, either they leave, or we get a divorce."
The moment I mentioned divorce, the atmosphere in the living room froze.
Misty and Rita's faces went ghostly pale in an instant.
They acted so fearlessly because they were certain I loved Sterling.
They were sure I'd keep compromising to maintain family harmony.
But they never expected me to actually bring up divorce.
Sterling started to panic too.
He pleaded, "Honey, please, don't do anything rash. Let's talk, okay?
"I'll tell them to leave, alright?"
He turned to Misty Rita.
Sterling said, "Mom, Rita, can't you see how mad Julia is right now?
"How about you two go stay at a hotel?
"Once I've cleared things up with Julia, I'll have you come back home.
Misty blew up as soon as she heard that.
Misty snapped, "Are you seriously telling us to leave?
"Sterling, you ungrateful brat. You marry her and forget your mom?
"She says 'divorce,' and you freak out? Now you want to throw us out?
"We're your mom and sister, for crying out loud!"
Rita joined in the crying, her voice rising in distress.
Rita sobbed, "Sterling, I'm so disappointed in you.
"I came all this way with my kid, hoping you'd help us, and this is how you treat us?
"You let Julia kick us out with a few words. How are we supposed to hold our heads up after this?"
The whole place erupted into chaos. Everyone was yelling at once.
I watched their little circus, not feeling a thing.
My dad showed up fast.
He didn't come alone.
He brought two tall bodyguards in black suits and a shrewd-looking lawyer.
As soon as my dad walked in and saw the chaos and Sterling's family, his face darkened instantly.
He ignored everyone else and marched straight over to me.
He asked, "Julia, are you alright?
"Did any of them touch you?"
I shook my head.
"I'm fine, Dad," I replied.
My dad nodded, then turned to Sterling.
His glare was sharp enough to cut Sterling to the bone.
My dad said, "Sterling, do you remember what I told you when I trusted my precious daughter to you?
"I gave her to you so you could love her and protect her.
"Not so you could gang up on her with your family and make her suffer!"
Sterling was visibly shaken under my dad's overwhelming aura, barely able to get a word out.
"Dad, I didn't mean it like that," Sterling stammered, his voice shaking.
Misty had no clue who my dad was. She thought he was some ordinary relative.
She planted her hands on her hips, acting like she owned the place and playing the senior card.
Misty shot back, "Who are you supposed to be? This is our family's business. What gives an outsider like you the right to boss us around?"
My dad shot her a cold, cutting look.
He said, "I'm Julia's father, and the one who put up the money for this house.
"So, do you still think I'm an outsider now?"
Misty was momentarily caught off guard, but she kept her attitude and refused to back down.
Misty retorted, "Even if you're her father, that doesn't mean you can be so unreasonable.
"Who goes running to her parents every time she feels wronged?
"Besides, my son's name is on the deed too, so why can't we stay here?"
My dad's lawyer, Daley Grant, stepped forward and handed Misty a document.
Daley said, "Hello, ma'am.
"I'm the attorney representing Julia.
"First off, even though this house is registered under both Julia and Sterling's names, the entire payment for it came from my client, Julia's father.
"We've got all the proof, including bank records and the gift agreement.
"By law, this counts as a personal gift meant for Julia alone.
"Sterling's name was only added out of a blessing for their marriage.
"But now, Sterling's actions have seriously infringed on Julia's rights and completely betrayed the purpose of the gift."
Daley paused, pushed up his glasses, his gaze cold and razor-sharp.
He said, "So, here's your official notice.
"First, you are required to move out of this house immediately.
"Second, we will be taking this to court to revoke the property gift to Sterling and return full ownership to Julia alone.
"In other words, not only are you all getting kicked out, but Sterling, you're walking out of here with nothing to your name."
Daley's words were like a bomb going off, sending shockwaves through Sterling's family.
Misty and Rita looked shocked, all the color draining from their faces.