Chapter 10 - The Eviction Notice
On Tuesday afternoon, Ethan and I stood on the sidewalk across from the Dublin mansion.
Parked in the circular driveway was a sheriff’s cruiser alongside a commercial moving van. Arthur Vance had executed his legal right as primary deed holder of the non-trust marital residence to place the home on the market immediately, granting Diane seventy-two hours to pack her personal belongings.
Through the large bay windows, we could see professional movers carrying out boxes of designer clothes, mirrors, and luggage.
Chloe stood on the front lawn, frantically loading plastic storage bins into the back of her leased convertible, screaming at the moving crew to be careful with her shoes. The country club neighbors watched from behind manicured hedges and curtains, whispering among themselves as the drama unfolded in broad daylight.
Dad walked down the stone walkway carrying two vintage leather suitcases—his personal belongings from thirty-two years of marriage. He looked up at the sprawling brick estate, took a deep, clean breath, and loaded his luggage into the back of Ethan’s car.
"How do you feel, Dad?" I asked, wrapping an arm around his waist.
"Lighter than air, Em," Dad smiled, kissing the crown of my head. "That house was never a home. It was a gilded cage. Tonight, I'm staying at the guest cottage by your new design studio, and I plan on sleeping ten hours straight without someone screaming at me about social status."
Just then, Diane emerged through the grand double doors, carrying a fur coat and a single suitcase. She saw the three of us standing together by Ethan’s car.
She walked down the lawn, her eyes dead and cold. She didn't scream this time. The rage had hardened into something bitter, frozen, and malignant.
"You took everything from me," Diane whispered as she reached the curb. "My status. My daughter Chloe’s business. My reputation."
"You took those from yourself, Mom," I answered softly. "You chose greed over family. You chose vanity over your own children. I didn't take anything from you—I just took back what Grandma Evelyn gave me."
Diane stared at me for a long, silent moment, then turned to Dad. "You'll die alone, Arthur."
May you like
"No, Diane," Dad replied with a peaceful smile. "I'll live with the people who actually love me. Goodbye."
We got into the car and drove away, leaving Diane standing on the curb beside Chloe and their piles of luggage, watching our taillights disappear down the quiet, tree-lined street.