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…

«We don’t need your handouts!» Patricia declared proudly, though I noticed her eyes lit up with interest at the mention of money. «As you wish,» I shrugged. «In any case, you can’t stay here.

This house belongs to Sophia, and she doesn’t consent to your living here.» «I’ll sue,» Ethan threatened. «I’ll prove I have rights to this house.»

«You can try,» the notary said calmly. «But I must warn you that court proceedings can drag on for years. During all that time, the house will remain in Ms. Bennett’s ownership, and she has full right to decide who lives in it.»

«This is blackmail!» Rebecca exclaimed, who had been silent until then, shocked by what was happening. «No,» Sophia shook her head. «This is the law.

And you’d better accept it than waste time and money on hopeless legal battles.» They stood in the living room, confused and angry. Patricia was indignantly saying something, Rebecca was crying, Tyler continued playing on his phone as if nothing was happening.

And Lily? Lily looked at me with some strange expression. In her gaze, there was not condemnation, but something like admiration. «Lily can stay,» I said unexpectedly even to myself. «If she wants to study in the city, I can help her with that.

She can live here, in this house, as a guest.» Everyone fell silent, stunned by my proposal. «What?» Rebecca stared at me as if I were crazy.

«You want to separate me from my daughter?» «No,» I shook my head. «I’m offering Lily the opportunity to get a good education. The decision is hers.»

Lily shifted her gaze from me to her mother, clearly not knowing what to say. «Think, girl, think,» Patricia whispered. «This woman is trying to destroy our family, and you’re ready to go along with her?» «I’m not destroying anyone,» I calmly objected. «I’m just protecting my house and my life.

And offering help to the only person in your family who showed me respect.» «We’re leaving,» Ethan declared sharply, grabbing his mother by the arm. «All together.

And don’t think this is the end, Olivia. I’ll find a way to get back at you.» «We can part civilly,» I said wearily. «Without threats and mutual accusations.»

«Too late for that,» he hissed through his teeth. «You made your choice.» They headed to the exit.

Lily cast a farewell glance at me, and I saw tears in her eyes and something else—gratitude? Hope? Regret? I wanted to tell her the offer stood, that she could always turn to me for help, but I stayed silent. It was her choice, and I had no right to pressure her. When the door closed behind them, silence fell in the house.

I slowly sank onto the sofa, feeling the tension of the last days gradually release me. «You did great,» Sophia sat next to me, putting her hand on my shoulder. «Handled it better than I expected.»

«I feel awful,» I admitted. «Eight years of life. And it ended like this.» «Not eight years of life, but eight years of experience,» she gently corrected.

«Experience that made you stronger and wiser. You didn’t lose those years, you grew because of them.» I nodded, though the pain from Ethan’s betrayal was still sharp.

It probably wouldn’t disappear completely ever—just become quieter, more muted over time. «What now?» I asked, looking at Sophia. «Now you’ll live,» she answered simply.

«In your house, by your rules. You’ll furnish it as you’ve always dreamed. You’ll create your life without looking back at others’ desires and expectations.»

Almost a year had passed since the day I kicked Ethan and his family out of my house. The divorce was finalized without extra scandals—Ethan, contrary to his threats, didn’t start a legal battle. Perhaps the notary’s arguments convinced him, or, more likely, his mother decided not to waste money on a hopeless case.

I learned they rented an apartment in the suburbs. The money from selling Patricia’s house was indeed invested in a business—a chain of mini coffee shops that Ethan tried to develop.

But, like many of his previous projects, this one didn’t succeed either. After six months, the coffee shops closed, and the invested money was lost. However, that was no longer my problem…