I canceled my trip to keep an eye on my inherited apartment and discovered my family moving in with a locksmith: “She’ll only cry for a few days,” they said… but they didn’t know the police were already on their way.

The will explicitly stated that the apartment was intended solely for me, and Arthur’s primary physician had provided a certificate of lucidity.

Furthermore, the notary confirmed that Arthur had requested a private meeting to sign the papers specifically to avoid family pressure.

However, the final blow to my parents’ desperate plan came from an unexpected source: my cousin Maya.

During her formal deposition, Maya admitted that my mother had pressured her to help “clean out the apartment” before I could return.

She also testified that Chloe had been boasting for weeks about using the sale proceeds to rent a massive boutique on Magnolia Row.

My mother lowered her head in shame as the testimony was read aloud, unable to look anyone in the eye.

My father’s jaw was clenched so tightly it looked as though it might snap, while Chloe glared at me with pure hatred.

As we were walking out of the courthouse after the first hearing, Chloe managed to corner me in the long, marble hallway.

“I hope you are happy now that you have completely ruined this family’s reputation,” she spat at me with venom in her voice.

I didn’t stop walking, nor did I raise my voice to match her frantic, desperate energy.