Chapter 5 - Knock Knock, Linda
Meanwhile, back at the suburban house, Linda was making herself right at home.
She was sitting in my favorite armchair, drinking coffee from my favorite mug.
Jessica was in the kitchen, humming a tune while tossing my remaining spices into the trash.
“It feels so much better in here without her, doesn't it?” Jessica called out.
“Oh, absolutely,” Linda agreed, adjusting her glasses.
“Emily was always so stiff. Always talking about duty and deployments. So unfeminine.”
Jessica laughed, walking into the living room wearing one of Mark’s oversized shirts.
“Well, now Mark has a real woman. And we have this gorgeous house.”
Just as they were clinking their coffee mugs together in celebration, the doorbell rang.
“Oh, that must be the new curtains I ordered with Mark's card!” Jessica squealed.
She hurried to the front door and threw it open with a massive smile.
Her smile instantly vanished.
It wasn't a delivery driver.
Standing on the porch were two uniformed county sheriff's deputies.
Behind them stood a sharp-looking man in a tailored suit holding a thick briefcase.
“Can I help you?” Jessica asked, her voice faltering.
Linda stood up from the armchair, suddenly on edge.
“Are you Mark Carter?” the deputy asked.
“No, he’s my... boyfriend. He's not here right now,” Jessica stammered.
The man in the suit stepped forward.
“I am Mr. Sterling, representing the Carter Ridge Trust. I have a court-ordered document for the residents of this property.”
He handed a thick stack of papers to the deputy, who held them out to Jessica.
“Ma'am, you are being served with an immediate notice of foreclosure and eviction,” the deputy said loudly.
Linda rushed to the door, snatching the papers.
“Eviction?! You can't evict us! My son owns this house!”
Mr. Sterling adjusted his glasses coolly.
“Your son defaulted on the mortgage three months ago. The lienholder is executing their right to reclaim the property.”
“Who is the lienholder?!” Linda screeched, her face turning purple. “I demand to speak to the bank!”
Mr. Sterling offered a polite, utterly devastating smile.
“The debt is entirely owned by Colonel Emily Carter. She requires you to vacate her property within 72 hours.”
Jessica gasped, dropping her coffee mug.
It shattered on the hardwood floor, spilling dark liquid everywhere.
“Emily?” Linda whispered, all the color draining from her face. “That... that pregnant nobody?”
“That 'nobody',” Mr. Sterling corrected sharply, “is a decorated military officer and the sole beneficiary of a multi-million-dollar trust.”
He turned and began walking down the driveway.
“You have 72 hours, ladies. I suggest you start packing.”
Linda collapsed against the doorframe, clutching her chest.
May you like
Jessica stared at the broken mug on the floor, suddenly realizing she hadn't secured a rich man.
She had tied herself to a sinking ship.
