Brandon didn’t answer.

Because deep down…

He already knew.

He just never thought it mattered.

Daniel continued, his tone calm, almost sympathetic.

“The new owner has requested immediate possession. You have until 5 p.m. today to vacate the premises.”

Amber’s breath caught.

“Five hours?”

“That is correct.”

Brandon finally snapped.

“This is ridiculous! You can’t just throw us out! We live here!”

“You were allowed to live here,” Daniel corrected gently. “That arrangement has ended.”

Brandon looked at Amber.

Then at the house.

Then back at the document in his hand.

And suddenly…

Everything felt different.

The marble floors.

The glass windows.

The silence.

It wasn’t his.

It never had been.

His phone buzzed.

He didn’t need to check.

He already knew who it was.

Slowly…

He answered.

“Dad…”

On the other end, my voice was calm.

Clear.

Controlled.

“Good morning, Brandon.”

There was a long pause.

Then anger flooded his voice.

“You sold the house?!”

“I did.”

“You had no right—”

“I had every right,” I said quietly. “I owned it.”

Silence.

Then, louder—

“You did this because of last night?!”

I didn’t raise my voice.

I didn’t need to.

“No,” I said. “I did this because of the last five years.”

He breathed hard into the phone.

Amber was watching him now, her face pale, her confidence gone.

“You’re ruining my life,” he said.

And that was the moment I knew…

He still didn’t understand.

“No,” I replied slowly.

“You did that yourself.”

Then I hung up.