Chapter 4

In the next instant, Pamela shot to her feet and pointed at me. "This apartment belongs to the Campbell family. It's only right that you leave!

"And introducing you to someone is for your own good! We just wanted you to have someone to settle down with. Don't be ungrateful!"

Matthew's voice hardened. "I'll make this simple. Either you remarry, or you move out. Don't blame us if things get ugly!"

I took a deep breath. "Get it right. This apartment—"

Before I could finish, Lily, who had been standing silently nearby, suddenly went limp and collapsed to the floor.

"Mom!"

Everyone gasped in shock.

…

When the ambulance arrived, the paramedics said only one family member could come with her. I didn't hesitate and climbed in.

At the hospital, the doctor gave Lily a quick check and said, "There's nothing seriously wrong. She's just been under a lot of stress. She was overcome with emotion and passed out.

"As her family, be gentle with her. Don't upset her again. We'll run a full checkup tomorrow. If everything's normal, she can go home."

Once the doctor said it wasn't serious, Pamela moved closer. "Veronica, Holly's home alone, and there's no one to look after her. I should head back."

"I've still got things to deal with, too," Matthew added quickly. "Can you stay with Mom for now? We'll come by early tomorrow morning and take over for you."

I looked at how eager they were to leave and didn't argue. Instead, I nodded. "Alright. Go ahead. I'll call if anything comes up."

…

Around noon the next day, a nurse came by asking for Lily's ID and insurance card. That was when I realized I had left them at home.

I called Matthew and Pamela several times, yet neither of them answered. So, I had no choice but to go home and get them myself.

I slid my key into the lock when I arrived. However, no matter how hard I turned it, it wouldn't budge. Worse still, I couldn't pull it back out.

The neighbor next door opened her door to take out the trash. Seeing me struggling with the lock, she said casually, "Veronica, didn't anyone tell you? Your sister-in-law had someone come this morning to change the lock. It's a brand-new one. Your old key won't work."

My heart sank. Changed the lock? What did that mean?

Without hesitation, I called Pamela. Almost immediately, her phone rang from inside the apartment. She was home.

"Open up, Pamela!" I yelled, pounding on the door.

After a brief pause, Pamela finally shouted through the door, her voice edged with impatience, "What are you banging on the door for? Mom's still in the hospital. Why aren't you there watching over her? What are you doing back here?"

I suppressed the anger surging through me and demanded, "What gives you the right to change the locks on my door?"

"Your apartment?" Pamela snickered.

Her voice was confident as she went on, "Veronica, make no mistake. This apartment belongs to the Campbells. It was Noah's. Now that he's gone, it belongs to us. I can change the locks whenever I want."

I raised my voice and shot back, "My mom bought this apartment for me! The deed is in my name. This whole time, your entire family has been freeloading here!"

But Pamela didn't believe a word I said. "Stop lying! Noah bought this apartment. Now that he's gone, you have nothing to do with the Campbells anymore. What right do you have to stay here? Get the hell out!"

"I'll ask you one last time. Are you going to open the door or not?"

"No!" Pamela yelled. "Go ahead and stand out there all you want!"

I took a deep breath and didn't bother arguing anymore. Then, I swiped to the call screen and typed in the three numbers.

As soon as the call connected, I spoke calmly. "Hello. I'd like to report that someone is illegally occupying my property."