Chapter 4 – Homecoming
Three days later, Brent's plane landed in Denver.
He drove straight toward Redwood Crest Drive with Diane and Karen laughing in the SUV.
Halfway there...
His phone buzzed.
A notification from the security company.
Access credentials have been permanently revoked.
He frowned.
"Must be another system error."
When they reached the gates, the keypad flashed red.
Access denied.
Again.
And again.
Karen frowned.
"Try my code."
Denied.
Diane crossed her arms.
"What game is she playing?"
Before Brent could answer, another SUV rolled through the open gates.
It wasn't theirs.
A moving company followed behind it.
Workers unloaded furniture.
Children ran across the front lawn.
A golden retriever chased a soccer ball.
Brent stepped out of his vehicle.
"What is going on?"
A man approached with a friendly smile.
"Can I help you?"
"This is my house."
The man looked confused.
"We closed three days ago."
Brent laughed nervously.
"No... there's been some mistake."
"There hasn't."
Jennifer walked through the front door carrying a folder.
She had expected this moment.
"Good afternoon, Brent."
His face turned pale.
"What did she do?"
Jennifer handed him a single envelope.
"Your wife sold her property."
"My property!"
She calmly shook her head.
"No."
She pointed toward the deed.
"It was never yours."
Diane grabbed the paperwork.
Her confidence disappeared page by page.
Only Tessa's signature.
Only Tessa's ownership.
Only Tessa's name.
Karen whispered, "Mom..."
For the first time in years...
No one had an argument.
May you like
No one had a demand.
No one had control.
