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Chapter 9
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I'm the Stranger in Our Family Group Chapter 9
Cody was still locked up in the detention center. He never even got the chance to see Dad one last time.Dad's funeral was a bleak, quiet affair. Only a handful of old neighbors and distant relatives showed up to pay their respects.Throughout the entire service, Mom sat frozen, entirely detached, without uttering a single word.Once it was over, I went back to the apartment complex with her to salvage whatever was left.The old home was completely unrecognizable, blackened by soot and ruined by the fire.Mom stepped into the master bedroom, carefully sifting through the charred remains.Eventually, she found a small metal tin. It was badly warped from the intense heat, but the latch still worked.Inside were old photographs—pictures of me as a baby, snapshots of Cody and me playing, and a family portrait.Mom pulled out the family portrait and handed it to me. In the photo, Dad was young, Mom was holding me in her arms, and Cody stood by her side."Everything was so good back
I'm the Stranger in Our Family Group Chapter 8
I sat in silence. Suddenly, my phone rang.It was an unfamiliar number from my hometown area code.I hesitated for a moment before pressing answer.A heavy silence hung on the other end of the line for a few seconds before Mom's voice finally came through. "Eileen…"I didn't say a word.She broke down, sobbing uncontrollably."Eileen, I was wrong. Cody's been arrested, Lexie ran off, and the neighbors won't stop whispering about me. I really realize my mistakes now. Eileen, please, come home and see me. You're all I have left…"Listening to her tearful pleas, I felt absolutely nothing.It wasn't that the hatred had dissolved; it was that the pain had left me completely numb.When I finally spoke, my voice was flat and steady. "Mom, do you remember when we were kids? Whenever Cody stole my things, you told me I had to let him have his way because he was my older brother."When he used to hit me, you dismissed it as him just being childish, telling me not to make a big deal out
I'm the Stranger in Our Family Group Chapter 7
Cody's face flushed a violent crimson. He lunged at me, raising his fist. "Say that again, you little bitch!"Instinctively, I squeezed my eyes shut."Stop it!"A thunderous roar shattered the tension from the doorway.Hector stood there, his expression dangerously dark.He strode into the apartment in a flash, shoving Cody away from me with enough force to send him stumbling backward several steps."Get out!" Hector commanded.Mom was taken aback, but she quickly forced a smile. "Oh, Hector, you're home! Perfect, perfect. Let's sit down and talk this through as a family.""I said, get out," Hector emphasized each word, his voice dropping to a low, menacing register that brooked no argument.Cody straightened up. "Who the hell do you think you are? This is a family business. Why is an outsider like you sticking his nose in?"Hector locked eyes with him. "I am her husband, and this is my home. If you don't leave right now, don't blame me for what happens next."He tightened h
I'm the Stranger in Our Family Group Chapter 6
I took the phone from Hector's hand. The screen displayed a brand-new post from Mom.The accompanying photo featured the living room of our family home, with a few dishes laid out on the coffee table.The gathering was small—just Mom, Dad, Cody, and his family.The caption read, "Family dinner. The family is whole and complete. Life moves on, no matter who decides to skip out."Beneath the post, a dozen comments from relatives and neighbors had already piled up, offering validation and comfort."Exactly, being together is what matters most.""If certain people don't want to show up, let them stay away. Their hearts aren't with the family anyway.""That's just how daughters are once they marry. It's completely normal."I handed the phone back to Hector. "Let her do whatever she wants."Hector hesitated. "Where's your phone?""In my bag. I haven't checked it.""You might want to take a look. She didn't stop at just one post."I retrieved my phone from my purse and powered it
I'm the Stranger in Our Family Group Chapter 5
As I packed my bags, my phone vibrated constantly.I didn't bother looking.I already knew exactly what it would be—Mom, Cody, and Lexie tag-teaming me with the guilt trips and the anger.Mom would be crying, Cody would be hurling insults, and Lexie would be dropping her usual passive-aggressive remarks.After all these years, I knew their playbook by heart.I turned off my phone, and the room finally fell silent.As I looked down at the half-packed suitcase, a wave of profound exhaustion washed over me.Every Saturday for the past two years, I dragged myself out of bed early to run around the city buying whatever groceries the family was craving.The whole ordeal usually swallowed up half my day.Yet, the moment I stepped through their door, nobody ever thought to offer me a glass of water.Cody would be splayed out on the couch playing video games, Lexie would be buried in her phone in the bedroom, and Mom would be occupied watching cartoons with Cody's son, Noah Allen.As
I'm the Stranger in Our Family Group Chapter 4
Mom was quick to notice. "What are you doing?""Calling the police."Her face went pale, and she lunged forward to grab my phone. "Don't you dare!"I dodged her, speaking clearly into the receiver. "I need to report an emergency. I have individuals trespassing on my property, and I've just been assaulted."Cody's expression shifted from anger to panic. "Eileen Allen, have you lost your mind?"I ignored him and gave the dispatcher my address.Ten minutes later, the police arrived. By then, a small crowd of curious neighbors had gathered in the hallway.When the officers questioned Cody, he was still trying to talk his way out of it. "I'm her brother! What's wrong with a brother keeping his sister in line?"The officer frowned. "It doesn't matter who you are. You don't lay your hands on someone."Mom immediately started wiping away tears. "Officer, please. We're a family. This is just a private family matter. There's really no need to blow it out of proportion."Dad spoke up to
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