Chapter 2

“Brianna, Chelsea’s got a point. Maddie could start school a couple of years later. There’s no rush.”

What???

I stared at Shawn in disbelief.

He was siding with Chelsea?

“Do you even hear what you’re saying? Maddie is old enough to start school now!”

But Shawn ignored me, turning to Chelsea and apologizing softly.

“I’m sorry about this, Chelsea. You know how Brianna is. Don’t take it personally.”

Chelsea shot me a smug look, her eyes gleaming with triumph.

And in front of Shawn, her tone softened, no trace of the earlier argument.

“Oh, it’s fine, really. I wasn’t offended at all. You’re always so sensible, Shawn.”

Wow. She sure knew how to play to her audience.

She praised Shawn for being reasonable, while implying I was making a big deal out of nothing.

Shawn’s face lit up at her words, a smile breaking across his face.

I shot him a sharp look, then turned back to Chelsea, my voice icy.

“So, you’re saying I’m the unreasonable one, Chelsea?”

“How funny. This is my house. I bought it specifically for Maddie’s education. We let you stay here out of kindness because of Shawn, and now you’re acting like you own the place! You’ve been freeloading for three years, and now you’re stealing Maddie’s enrollment spot? Where’s the justice in that?”

Chelsea’s face turned an ugly shade of green, like she’d just swallowed a fly.

“Brianna, what do you mean freeloading and stealing? We’re family! How can you say such things?”

Tears welled up in her eyes, making her look as though I was the one being cruel.

Seeing this, Shawn immediately handed her a tissue.

“Don’t cry, Chelsea. I promised Lucas I’d take care of you and Jake while he’s away, and I intend to keep that promise.”

Then, turning to me, he sighed.

“Brianna, you’re really upset right now. Why don’t you head home and rest? Let me handle this.”

“Handle it? How exactly do you plan to handle it?”

Under my glare, Shawn’s confidence faltered, and he began trying to smooth things over.

“What’s done is done. There’s no use in getting angry now. Let Jake finish his schooling, and Maddie can go to another school or wait until Jake’s spot expires.”

His words made my blood boil.

What kind of solution was that?

In every scenario, Maddie was the one being sacrificed!

I scoffed at him.

“You’re really something. Using my house to score points with your family.”

“And I have to ask—Jake’s not even your son. Why are you treating him better than your own daughter?”

It was just an offhand remark, but both Chelsea and Shawn stiffened noticeably, their expressions shifting.

Before I could dwell on it, Chelsea gave me a sidelong glance and spoke in that syrupy, fake tone again.

“Brianna, this is your house? You married Shawn, didn’t you? That makes it your shared house as a couple.”

“Besides, Shawn’s already agreed that Jake can use the enrollment spot. I don’t know why you’re being so harsh. Are you really so heartless you can’t even make room for family? Fine, if you can’t, then we’ll leave…”

My anger flared instantly.

Did she really just say that?

If I was so heartless, I would’ve kicked them out long ago! I let them live here for three years, rent-free!

Shawn, looking uncomfortable, shot me a pleading glance, as if asking me to drop it.

But after all this? I was done playing nice.

Ignoring him, I pulled out my phone and opened up the digital copy of the deed.

I tossed it in front of Chelsea.

“Look closely. The deed says Brianna Wilkes! This is my house!”

“You’ve overstayed your welcome. Now pack your things and get out of my home!”