Chapter 4 - The Eviction
The word No seemed to echo off the high ceilings of the house.
Ethan’s face twisted into an ugly mask of rage. "You ungrateful little bitch! After everything I’ve done for you? I gave you status! I gave you a life!" He took a aggressive step toward Maya, his fist clenching, completely forgetting the presence of the law.
Deputy Miller moved with practiced efficiency. In a fraction of a second, he stepped into Ethan’s path, his hand resting firmly on the handle of his taser. "Step back, sir. Keep your distance from the lady, or you will be spending the night in a holding cell for public disturbance and non-compliance."
Beatrice let out a dramatic gasp, clutching her throat. "Ethan! Oh my goodness, Ethan, don't let them do this! This is a violation of our rights!"
"You have no rights here, Madam," Arthur said coldly, handing a copy of the eviction order to Ethan, who refused to take it. Arthur simply let the paper drop to the floor at Ethan’s feet. "You have exactly fifteen minutes to gather your personal belongings—wallets, phones, and immediate clothing. Anything else left on the property will be seized and held until a formal legal distribution can be arranged. If you are not out the door by then, Deputy Miller will arrest you for criminal trespassing."
"Fifteen minutes?!" Ethan screamed, his voice cracking into a desperate shriek. "It’s freezing outside! Where are we supposed to go? My mother has a delicate condition!"
"Then I suggest you spend less time arguing and more time packing," I said, my voice completely devoid of empathy. "The luxury SUV parked in the driveway? The keys are on the counter. The lease on that vehicle is also in my name. I will be taking the keys. You can walk to the nearest main road and call an Uber. I hear they operate quite efficiently in the winter."
Beatrice looked like she was about to faint. "You expect us to walk? In the snow? In these shoes?"
"My daughter was standing barefoot on freezing tile while you drank her wine," I reminded her, my eyes narrowing. "Count your blessings that I am letting you leave with your coats."
The next fifteen minutes were a blur of chaotic desperation. Ethan and Beatrice scrambled through the house, throwing clothes into designer suitcases—suitcases that had also been bought with Sterling money. Ethan tried to slip a pair of expensive silver candlesticks into his bag, but Deputy Miller caught his wrist, forcing him to drop them back onto the table.
"Only personal clothing and identification, sir," Miller said firmly. "Everything else stays."
As the clock ticked down to the final minute, Ethan stood at the front door, holding a single suitcase, his hair disheveled and his pride entirely shattered. He looked at Maya, trying one last time to inflict emotional damage. "You think you're smart, Maya? You're nothing without me. You're broken. Let's see how long you last before you come crawling back, begging for my forgiveness."
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Maya didn't flinch this time. She stood tall, wrapped in my warm wool coat, her face calm and resolved. "Goodbye, Ethan. Enjoy the walk."
With a firm nudge from Deputy Miller, Ethan and Beatrice were escorted out into the dark, freezing December night. The heavy oak door slammed shut behind them, the click of the deadbolt signaling the definitive end of an era of torment.
