Chapter

The next two weeks were a storm.

Dawn was arrested for assault. She was released on bail, but the charge was serious—aggravated assault with a weapon. The iron spoon. The photos of my head. The concussion. The prosecutor was taking it seriously.

Then the embezzlement charges came. Both of them. Michael and Dawn. Two hundred and sixty thousand dollars.

They hired a lawyer. A cheap one, because they couldn't afford anything else. The lawyer filed a response to the eviction, claiming they'd had an "oral agreement" with the previous owner for free rent in exchange for "property management services."

It was a lie. And Arthur had the documents to prove it.

But the worst part—for them—was the discovery process. In the eviction hearing, the owner's identity would be revealed.

They were going to find out it was me.

I decided to be there. In person.

The hearing was set for a Friday morning. I wore a navy blue suit. The first nice suit I'd bought myself in twenty years. Margaret came with me. Arthur came too.

We sat in the back of the courtroom.

Michael and Dawn were already there. Dawn was wearing something flashy—probably the last designer thing she owned. Michael looked like he hadn't slept.

Their lawyer was arguing with the judge when we walked in. Michael glanced back, saw me, and did a double-take.

He nudged Dawn. She turned. Her eyes went wide.

Then the judge spoke.

"Before we begin," the judge said, "the plaintiff has requested to reveal the owner's identity. The owner of Whitmore Properties LLC is… Helen Whitmore."

The courtroom went quiet.

Dawn's mouth fell open. Michael stood up so fast his chair scraped the floor.

"You?" Dawn whispered. Then louder. "You? You own this building? You've been making us think you were poor this whole time?"

I stood up. Walked to the front of the courtroom. Every eye was on me.

"I own thirteen buildings," I said, my voice clear. "Including the one you lived in. Rent-free. For seven years. While you stole from me. While you insulted me. While you hit me."

I turned to the judge. "Your Honor, I have evidence of everything. Unpaid rent. Embezzlement. Assault. I'm not here for charity. I'm here for justice."

The judge looked at the evidence. Looked at Michael and Dawn. Looked at me.

"Eviction granted," the judge said. "Thirty days. And I'd advise the defendants to start preparing for your criminal trial."

Dawn started screaming. Security had to escort her out.

Michael just stood there. Staring at me.

I walked past him. He grabbed my arm.

"Mom," he said. His voice was broken. "Mom, please. I didn't know. I swear, I didn't know."

I pulled my arm away.

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