Chapter 11 - The Eviction
By four in the afternoon, two moving vans and three county sheriff cruisers stood parked outside the wrought-iron gates of the Vance estate. The high society neighbors whispered behind manicured hedges, watching in shock as deputies oversaw the execution of an emergency court order.
Adrian stood on the front lawn, his arms crossed over his chest. Beside him, a deputy sergeant handed Victoria a signed eviction notice and an immediate restraining order.
""You have two hours to remove your personal clothing and private effects,"" the deputy stated formally. ""All heirlooms, vehicles purchased with trust funds, and family jewelry remain on the property under legal review.""
Victoria looked like a ghost wrapped in cashmere. Her blonde hair, usually pinned in an immaculate chignon, hung in loose, frayed strands around her drawn face. She glared at Adrian with an intensity that could curdle milk.
""You would throw your own mother into the street?"" she hissed, her voice shaking with venom. ""After everything I sacrificed to give you an honorable upbringing?""
""You didn't give me an honorable upbringing, Victoria,"" Adrian said, refusing to call her mother. ""You bullied my father into an early grave, you spoiled Julian into an arrogant coward, and you treated the woman carrying your grandchild like an indentured servant.""
Julian stumbled out the front entrance carrying two heavy luggage bags, his face stained with tears. ""Adrian, please... where are we supposed to go? All my credit cards declined at the gas station! The school called; they said my tuition account is frozen!""
Adrian looked at his younger brother without anger, only profound pity. ""You spent five months tormenting Clara while I was dodging roadside bombs. You filmed her crying on the floor and laughed about it. You wanted to be a grown man, Julian? Go get a job. Rent an apartment. Learn what humility actually feels like.""
Victoria grabbed Julian’s arm, pulling him toward the taxi waiting at the curb. ""Don't beg him, Julian! He’s a monster! He’ll regret this day when that pathetic girl leaves him with nothing!""
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Adrian didn't reply. He turned his back on them as the taxi drove away, watching the iron gates slowly swing shut. For the first time in his life, the air on the estate felt clean.
His phone vibrated in his pocket. It was a message from Dr. Harrison at the clinic: Clara is awake. She’s asking for you.
