When I fulfilled my dream and bought a house for my husband and me, he declared on the very first day: «My mom, sister, and kids will live with us…

«What are you talking about?» «About how you were at your mother’s house, helping her and Rebecca pack things because you all decided to move here together. Into my house. Without even asking my opinion.»

For a moment, fear flashed in his eyes, but then his face took on an expression of righteous indignation. «Yes, I was at Mom’s. And what’s wrong with that? She’s my mother, after all.

She has problems, and I had to help.» «What problems, Ethan? Tell me.» He began pacing the room, avoiding my gaze.

«Her arthritis, you know. It’s getting harder for her to manage the house. And then troubles started at school, she’s facing dismissal.

And with Rebecca too—her hours were cut, money barely covers food. And Tyler has constant conflicts at school, they want to expel him.» «And you decided the best solution was for everyone to move into our house?» I deliberately said «our,» though I knew the truth. Ethan stopped and looked me straight in the eyes. His face suddenly changed, becoming hard, determined.

All masks were dropped. «Yes, exactly,» Ethan suddenly shouted, dropping the pretense.

«My mom, sister, and kids will live with us, they’re tired of the small town. I’m not asking your opinion, because we’ve already decided without you.» The sharpness of his tone, the sudden aggression, made me recoil.

It was as if the man I had lived with for eight years wasn’t standing before me, but a complete stranger, an unfamiliar man. «I tried to be tactful,» he continued, seeing my reaction. «I wanted to gradually lead you to this idea.

But if you already know everything, no point beating around the bush. Yes, my family is moving in with us. Mom sold the house, the money is invested in my new business.

They have nowhere else to go but here. And I’m not going to abandon my family just because you don’t like my mother.» I looked at this stranger and couldn’t believe I had lived with him for eight years, trusted him, loved him.

All these years, I had closed my eyes to his selfishness, justified his actions, looked for the good in him. And he had simply used me. «I’m going to get them right now,» Ethan declared, heading to the door.

«We’ll be back this evening, all together. And I advise you to come to terms with the idea by then that this is now our common home. For our whole family.»

I silently watched him leave. I could have stopped him, told him the truth about the house, but I decided to wait. Let him bring his whole family, let them all hear my answer.

As soon as the door closed behind him, I called Sophia. «He came and confirmed everything,» I said when my sister picked up. «Now he’s gone for his mother, sister, and kids.

They’re planning to move here as a family. Didn’t even ask my opinion.» «As I thought,» Sophia sighed.

«What did you tell him?» «Nothing about the house. Decided to wait until they all arrive.»

«Wise,» my sister approved. «I’m coming over now, and we’ll meet them together. And yes, I’ll bring all the documents.»

An hour later, Sophia was at my house with two sturdy men in uniforms from the security agency where her former classmate worked. They greeted politely and took positions at the house entrance and in the living room. «This is in case your husband decides to make a scene,» Sophia explained.

«But we need to prepare for the evening visit. I have a plan.» Sophia’s plan was simple and effective.

We prepared all the necessary documents confirming her ownership of the house. She called her colleague notary, who was to witness everything. Additionally, she installed extra cameras in the house in case Ethan and his family tried to use physical force.

«The law is on our side,» Sophia said confidently. «But we must be ready for them to try to create a scandal.» The day dragged on slowly.

I couldn’t sit still, kept going to the window, expecting to see Ethan with his family. Various thoughts swirled in my head. Maybe I was really wrong? Maybe I should have let them move in, try living all together? But then I remembered how Ethan lied to me, made important decisions without consulting me, allowed his mother to humiliate me.

No, that would not be the house of my dreams, but a nightmare come true. Around six in the evening, Ethan’s car appeared in the driveway. Behind it was a rented minivan packed with things.

Ethan, his mother, sister, and kids got out of the car. They were all loaded with bags and suitcases, as if really planning to move into the house right now. «They’re here,» I said to Sophia, who was talking on the phone with the notary at that moment.

«Excellent,» she nodded. «The notary is arriving now. For now, stay confident and don’t let them intimidate you.»

The doorbell rang. I took a deep breath and went to open it, one of the security guards following me at a short distance. On the threshold stood Ethan surrounded by his family.

Behind him towered Patricia, stern and determined. Nearby shifted Rebecca with her eternally dissatisfied expression. Tyler trailed behind everyone as usual, not looking up from his phone, and Lily stood a bit aside, avoiding my gaze.

When they arrived at the house that evening, they were stunned by what they saw: on the threshold, they were met not only by me but also by Sophia with two security guards and the notary, who arrived at the same time as them. «What does this mean?» Ethan asked surprised, shifting his gaze from me to Sophia and the guards. «Who are all these people?» «Come in,» I made an inviting gesture.

«We need to talk seriously.» They entered the house, looking around confused. Patricia clutched her expensive purse to her chest, as if afraid of being robbed.

Rebecca held Lily by the hand, who still didn’t look me in the eyes. Tyler shuffled behind everyone, not tearing away from his phone. «This is my sister Sophia,» I began the introductions.

«And these are representatives from the security agency and a notary. They’re here to witness our conversation.» «Why do we need a notary?» Ethan frowned.

«What’s going on, Olivia?» «I want to clarify things,» I said firmly. «You came here intending to move into this house without asking my opinion or getting my consent. That’s unacceptable.» «We’re family, Olivia dear,» Patricia spoke in a saccharine voice…