CHAPTER 7: THE AFTERMATH
Two weeks passed.
The family chat was quiet for the first few days. Then the emergency messages started.
Mom: We're behind on the mortgage. The bank is threatening to foreclose.
Dad: I can't sleep. I keep thinking about losing the house.
Eric: This is all your fault. You're destroying Mom and Dad.
Lauren: Can't you at least give us a little money? Just to get us through the month?
Derek: You're heartless. I always knew you were heartless.
I read every message.
I responded to none.
On day fifteen, I got a call from a number I didn't recognize. I almost let it go to voicemail, but something made me pick up.
"Rachel? This is Peter Williams. I'm a family lawyer. Your parents have hired me to explore legal options."
I sat down. "Legal options?"
"Your mother claims you had a verbal agreement to pay the mortgage. She's considering suing for breach of contract."
I laughed. It was a sharp, bitter sound.
"Peter, I paid their mortgage for three years. There was never any contract. It was a gift. A gift I stopped giving."
"There's a good chance she doesn't have a case," he said carefully. "But I wanted to warn you. They're serious."
"Thank you."
"Can I ask—what happened?"
I told him.
He was quiet for a long moment.
"I have a daughter about your age," he said. "If anyone treated her that way, I'd tear them apart. You're doing the right thing, Rachel."
"Thank you," I said again.
"Let me know if they file anything. I'll help you fight it."
I hung up and stared at the wall.
They were trying to sue me.
For giving them money.
My own mother was trying to take me to court because I'd stopped being her ATM.
The insanity of it hit me like a wave.
I'd spent my whole life trying to please them. I'd given them everything I had. And they'd responded with contempt, mockery, and legal threats.
I had no family.
I never had.
I pulled out my phone and opened the group chat.
If you file anything, I'll countersue for the money I've already given you. I have bank statements. I have records of every payment I made. I'll demand it all back.
Let me know how that works out for you.
May you like
I hit send.
Then I blocked every single one of them.
