Chapter 7

I had no idea how long Ellie spent pounding on my door.

Eventually, it seemed a neighbor grew tired of the noise and called the police. It was only then that the officers arrived to escort her away.

I didn't bother checking the peephole. I didn't know if it was the same two officers from before.

I stripped the sheet and comforter from the bed and replaced them with fresh ones. The old bedding went straight into the trash bin.

That night, I slept better than I had in years.

As I left home the next morning, I sent the new door code to the real estate agent. I told him he had full authority to show the place and to prioritize a quick sale over a high price.

Then, I drove back to my hometown and spent two weeks living the quiet life with Mom and Dad.

The house sold faster than I expected. The agent was surprisingly capable. Not only did I avoid the price cut I was prepared for, but I actually walked away with a little profit.

In the meantime, I sent out a few resumes. Several top-