Chloe’s designer handbags occupied the shelves where my work suits belonged.
She had moved herself into my bedroom.
I walked back outside.
“Where are your things?” I asked.
She didn’t even look away from her phone.
“In your room.”
“My room.”
“Well…”
She shrugged.
“The couch is basically yours now.”
One of her friends laughed.
Mark emerged from the kitchen carrying two sodas.
“I meant to tell you.”
“You meant to ask me.”
“We already rearranged everything.”
“I can see that.”
“It just makes more sense.”
“For whom?”
“For Chloe.”
I nodded once.
Then I reached into my purse.
Pulled out my phone.
Pressed one button.
Mark frowned.
“What are you doing?”
“Playing something.”
The recording began immediately.
Brenda’s voice filled the apartment.
Crystal clear.
“If Sarah gets frustrated enough, she’ll leave on her own.”
Mark laughed on the recording.
“She won’t fight.”
“She never does.”
“Then after six months, we tell everyone Chloe already lives here permanently.”
“What about the condo?”
Mark answered without hesitation.
“Once Sarah signs the refinancing papers, her aunt’s place becomes ours anyway.”
The room went completely silent.
Chloe’s smile disappeared.
Her friends slowly lowered their phones.
On the recording, Brenda laughed again.
“She’ll never realize we’re setting her up until it’s too late.”
I pressed Pause.
Looked directly at my husband.
Then at his niece.
For the first time in thirty days…
Neither of them was laughing anymore.
