My sister-in-law took over my house in the school district and even stole my daughter’s spot for enrollment. “My son is the pride of the Steele family. What’s wrong with using an extra spot? Your daughter is just a burden. Delaying her schooling won’t hurt her!” In response, I evicted her from my home and deleted her son’s enrollment spot. She didn’t know the principal of the school is my uncle! “I’m sorry, ma’am, but the enrollment spot for your house has already been locked in. Your child cannot be registered for school right now.” “What do you mean it’s been locked in?” I was in disbelief. My daughter, Maddie, had only just reached school age. How could her enrollment spot already be taken? “Our system shows that the spot for Summit Elementary was locked three years ago.” My head began to spin, a loud ringing in my ears. Three years ago? Summit Elementary? Wait! That was exactly when Chelsea Steele, my sister-in-law, moved into the house in the Crestview Hills neighborhood! And Summit Elementary is the school her son Jake was supposed to attend! She had just been bragging about this on Facebook a few days ago! Could it be… Chelsea stole Maddie’s enrollment spot? I was so furious that my temples throbbed. After hanging up, I went straight to the house to confront Chelsea. I didn’t even get the chance to unlock the door—Chelsea opened it from the inside before I could. “I heard a noise at the door. Thought it might be a burglar, but turns out it’s just you, Brianna! Don’t stand there, come on in!” Ha! Who’s the real burglar here? The way she stood there with an air of ownership, you’d think I was the one trespassing in my own home. My face hardened. “No need. I’m here to talk about Maddie’s school enrollment.” “Chelsea, when we let you borrow the house, we didn’t agree to give you Maddie’s enrollment spot too, did we?” Chelsea’s smile faltered, and she blinked innocently. “What enrollment spot? I wouldn’t know anything about that. Maybe it was just locked by accident when I was enrolling Jake. I’m so clumsy sometimes… sorry, Brianna.” Still lying at this point? My sister-in-law had some nerve! Before she could finish, I cut her off coldly. “Really? Because the staff told me you locked that spot for Jake three years ago. Are you sure it was an accident?” Chelsea’s face flushed bright red. “Brianna, we’re family. It’s just one spot. Why are you being so stingy?” “That spot was Maddie’s. What you did, Chelsea, was theft!” She couldn’t hold it in anymore. Chelsea shot me a vicious glare, raising her voice. “Brianna, I see right through you. You came here just to start a fight! What do you mean theft?” “My son Jake is the pride of the Steele family, the only male heir! What’s wrong with using the spot? Your daughter’s just a burden. Delaying her education won’t harm her!” “And let’s be real, Jake’s going to carry on the family name. Your Maddie? She’ll be married off eventually. Using that spot on her would be a waste! Why not let Jake have this great opportunity?” I was shaking with rage as I pointed at her, saying each word slowly and clearly. “Chelsea, you need to understand something. This is my house!” Three years ago, Shawn’s brother, Lucas Steele, lost everything gambling and had to move away for work, leaving Chelsea and Jake in Shawn’s care. At the time, we owned two homes—our main house under Shawn’s name, and the other was the school district house I had bought specifically for Maddie’s future schooling. Since Maddie was still in preschool, and the school district house was too far from her current daycare, it had been sitting empty. Shawn had the nerve to suggest renting it out to Chelsea. “Brianna, the school district house is just sitting there. Why not let my brother’s family live in it?” “They’ll move out once Maddie starts school, and I promise they won’t be any trouble!” Out of respect for Shawn, I agreed. But after three years, Chelsea hadn’t paid a single cent in rent! We even covered the utilities and property fees for her! And if that wasn’t enough, every time she visited our home, she’d “borrow” my cosmetics—brand new, unopened ones. When I confronted her, she pulled the family card. “I’m just borrowing a few skincare products. We’re family, Brianna, don’t be so stingy!” Once or twice, I could let it go. But after a while, I had enough. Whenever I brought it up, Shawn would try to calm me down with snacks. “Brianna, don’t get upset. Chelsea grew up with less, so she doesn’t always know better. Her heart’s in the right place, though. Don’t hold it against her.” I didn’t want to put Shawn in a tough spot, so I bit my tongue and kept my distance from Chelsea’s family. But now, not only had she freeloaded off our house for three years, she’d stolen Maddie’s enrollment spot! “Enough! Everyone calm down!” Just when things were about to get heated, Shawn arrived, panting from running over. “Shawn, you’re here.” I filled him in on everything. With him by my side, I felt more confident, stronger. In all the years we’d been together, Shawn had always been a reasonable man. Plus, when he had nothing, I was the one who stood by him. I even used my savings to help him get his business off the ground, and he’d always been grateful for that. I was certain Shawn would back me up this time too. But I couldn’t have been more wrong. The next words out of his mouth hit me like a punch to the gut.
“Brianna, Chelsea’s got a point. Maddie could start school a couple of years later. There’s no rush.” What??? I stared at Shawn in disbelief. He was siding with Chelsea? “Do you even hear what you’re saying? Maddie is old enough to start school now!” But Shawn ignored me, turning to Chelsea and apologizing softly. “I’m sorry about this, Chelsea. You know how Brianna is. Don’t take it personally.” Chelsea shot me a smug look, her eyes gleaming with triumph. And in front of Shawn, her tone softened, no trace of the earlier argument. “Oh, it’s fine, really. I wasn’t offended at all. You’re always so sensible, Shawn.” Wow. She sure knew how to play to her audience. She praised Shawn for being reasonable, while implying I was making a big deal out of nothing. Shawn’s face lit up at her words, a smile breaking across his face. I shot him a sharp look, then turned back to Chelsea, my voice icy. “So, you’re saying I’m the unreasonable one, Chelsea?” “How funny. This is my house. I bought it specifically for Maddie’s education. We let you stay here out of kindness because of Shawn, and now you’re acting like you own the place! You’ve been freeloading for three years, and now you’re stealing Maddie’s enrollment spot? Where’s the justice in that?” Chelsea’s face turned an ugly shade of green, like she’d just swallowed a fly. “Brianna, what do you mean freeloading and stealing? We’re family! How can you say such things?” Tears welled up in her eyes, making her look as though I was the one being cruel. Seeing this, Shawn immediately handed her a tissue. “Don’t cry, Chelsea. I promised Lucas I’d take care of you and Jake while he’s away, and I intend to keep that promise.” Then, turning to me, he sighed. “Brianna, you’re really upset right now. Why don’t you head home and rest? Let me handle this.” “Handle it? How exactly do you plan to handle it?” Under my glare, Shawn’s confidence faltered, and he began trying to smooth things over. “What’s done is done. There’s no use in getting angry now. Let Jake finish his schooling, and Maddie can go to another school or wait until Jake’s spot expires.” His words made my blood boil. What kind of solution was that? In every scenario, Maddie was the one being sacrificed! I scoffed at him. “You’re really something. Using my house to score points with your family.” “And I have to ask—Jake’s not even your son. Why are you treating him better than your own daughter?” It was just an offhand remark, but both Chelsea and Shawn stiffened noticeably, their expressions shifting. Before I could dwell on it, Chelsea gave me a sidelong glance and spoke in that syrupy, fake tone again. “Brianna, this is your house? You married Shawn, didn’t you? That makes it your shared house as a couple.” “Besides, Shawn’s already agreed that Jake can use the enrollment spot. I don’t know why you’re being so harsh. Are you really so heartless you can’t even make room for family? Fine, if you can’t, then we’ll leave…” My anger flared instantly. Did she really just say that? If I was so heartless, I would’ve kicked them out long ago! I let them live here for three years, rent-free! Shawn, looking uncomfortable, shot me a pleading glance, as if asking me to drop it. But after all this? I was done playing nice. Ignoring him, I pulled out my phone and opened up the digital copy of the deed. I tossed it in front of Chelsea. “Look closely. The deed says Brianna Wilkes! This is my house!” “You’ve overstayed your welcome. Now pack your things and get out of my home!”
Before Chelsea could react, I stormed into her room, grabbed her clothes and belongings, and stuffed them into a suitcase, tossing it out the door. “Brianna, you—” Chelsea looked utterly shocked, clearly not expecting me, usually the more easy-going one, to act so cold and direct. “Didn’t you say you were leaving? Why haven’t you gone yet?” I shot back sarcastically. Her face instantly darkened, turning the color of a charred pan. She pursed her lips, tears welling up in her eyes as she turned to Shawn for support. “Shawn, I knew it. Brianna’s been wanting to kick us out all along… Even though you promised your brother you’d take care of me and Jake. And now, we’re about to end up on the streets. What a cruel fate!” “And, don’t forget, you’re married now! This house is technically shared property between you two! Looks like Brianna doesn’t even care about you, Shawn!” Chelsea’s little jab clearly hit its mark. Shawn’s face darkened, and the next thing I knew, he slapped me across the face. “Brianna, what’s your problem? You get a house in the school district and suddenly think you’re better than everyone? Don’t forget—I’m still the one in charge around here!” Then, without missing a beat, he softened his tone, turning to reassure Chelsea. “Don’t worry, Chelsea. I made a promise to my brother, and I’ll keep it. You and Jake are staying right here. Nobody’s kicking you out as long as I’m here.” My face burned, the sting from his slap still lingering. I stood frozen in place, staring at Shawn in disbelief. Did he just hit me? For Chelsea? In the past, even when Chelsea and I argued, he’d never go further than a scolding. Later, he’d apologize, saying his hands were tied—Chelsea was his brother’s wife, and since his brother had saved his life once, he felt obligated to look after her. So, he always claimed he had no choice but to side with her. But deep down, I thought he was still on my side. Now? He hit me? Something even my own parents never did. I held my burning cheek, my eyes welling with tears as I looked at Shawn, waiting for an explanation. But instead, he scowled and barked, “Why are you just standing there? Let’s go! Or do you want to embarrass yourself even more?” Embarrass myself? Was that how he saw this? My anger flared. “Embarrass myself? Shawn, your daughter’s school spot was stolen, and you don’t think that is embarrassing? I’m here to fight for her, to exercise my rights, and I’m the one embarrassing us?” “How did I not realize sooner that you’re nothing but a coward?” Shawn’s face turned beet red with anger as he raised his hand, ready to hit me again. But this time, I was faster—I slapped him back. “Brianna, you dared to hit me?” he stammered in shock. I shook out my hand, still tingling from the slap, and raised an eyebrow. “Just returning the favor.” Chelsea’s eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly rushed to Shawn’s side, as if playing the dutiful wife. “Brianna, it’s only right that Shawn disciplines you. How could you hit him? Shawn, are you okay?” “I’m fine,” Shawn muttered, rubbing his cheek. “You’re right, Chelsea. Brianna just looks down on me.” He gave Chelsea’s hand a gentle pat, and the two of them stood there, close and intimate, like a couple. This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened. Every time Chelsea and I argued, Shawn would step in to defend her and push me to back down. He’d always explain it was because his brother had saved him from drowning when they were younger. Now, with Lucas away for work, Shawn felt it was his duty to take care of Chelsea in return. And because Chelsea had a severe dog allergy, Shawn had insisted I give away my beloved dog—one he’d originally bought for me. Even when we went out for dinner, he’d order everything mild just for her, since Chelsea couldn’t handle spicy food. I’d suggested a split pot so we could have both spicy and non-spicy options, but Shawn just said I was being unreasonable, worried the spicy oil would mix with the broth. Funny how he always seemed to forget how much I loved spicy food… I’d tried to convince myself before, telling myself that his extra concern for Chelsea was just repayment for his brother’s life-saving act. That he was only neglecting me temporarily, and we still had over a decade of marriage behind us. But now he’d hit me for her? And instead of apologizing to me, he went straight to comforting her? Watching the two of them, a wave of bitter realization washed over me. Maybe all along, I’d been fooling myself. Maybe Shawn didn’t care about me as much as I thought… Why else would he care more about Chelsea than me? … I took a deep breath, steeling myself, and slowly pulled off my wedding ring. I tossed it in front of Shawn. “Let’s get divorced, Shawn.”
“What? Divorce?” Shawn’s face went pale, panic flashing in his eyes. “Brianna, don’t be ridiculous! I only hit you once—are you really going to make such a big deal out of it?” “Besides, you were the one picking a fight with Chelsea. And let’s not forget—you hit me too! My face is still sore!” Chelsea, looking briefly startled, quickly stepped in to play the peacemaker. “Brianna, don’t make such a rash decision. You can’t just talk about divorce like it’s nothing!” “If you leave Shawn, you’ll be a single mom. Who’s going to want you after that? You’ve already had a child, and finding another man won’t be easy.” “Why not just let this go? After all, married couples argue, but they always make up.” Shawn nodded in agreement. “Brianna, look how understanding Chelsea is! She’s not even holding a grudge. Let’s stop this nonsense.” He actually had the audacity to say that I should apologize to Chelsea, and we could all forget about it. ??? I couldn’t help but laugh. What kind of backward thinking was this? Chelsea was living in some medieval fantasy, and Shawn clearly had a few screws loose too. The one who had done wrong was Chelsea, but they were telling me to apologize? What a joke! How did I not see how pathetic Shawn was before? “I’m not being ridiculous, and I’m definitely getting this divorce!” Shawn’s face darkened, and I saw the calculating glint in his eyes. “Fine, you want a divorce? Then this house comes with me. Otherwise, I’ll make sure you lose custody of Maddie.” He thought he could threaten me with Maddie? So, this whole time, his true intention had been to take the house! I’d completely misjudged him. But there was no way I’d let him get his hands on this house. I’d bought it myself, with my own money, and had even been smart enough to get a prenuptial agreement, thanks to my parents’ advice. Now he wanted ownership of my house? Not happening. Without a word, I walked over to the bookshelf, pulled out the prenuptial agreement, and threw it in their faces. “This house is my premarital asset. You’re not getting it!” “I’m keeping the house and custody of Maddie.” Shawn’s eyes bulged in disbelief, his hands trembling as he held the contract. “When… when did you…” Chelsea, also visibly upset, shot me a furious glare. “Brianna, you’re being so unfair! You never saw us as family!” I smirked. “Well, you finally got something right. Now get out.” “This is my house, and if you two don’t leave immediately, I’m calling the police.” I picked up my phone, ready to dial. Chelsea’s face twisted in anger. “Brianna, how can you be so heartless?” “Shawn, let’s go. I’m not leaving without a fight!” They stormed out, grumbling all the way. Divorce or not, it’s not up to him anymore. With that thought in mind, I immediately contacted my lawyer to begin divorce proceedings. After that, I calmed down and focused on what really mattered—getting Maddie’s school spot back. Maddie had been looking forward to starting at Summit Elementary for a long time. I wasn’t about to let her down. I picked up my phone and called my uncle, Principal Mark Mitchell. “Uncle Mark, I need your help. Maddie’s spot at Summit Elementary was stolen…” I explained everything in detail. When I finished, Uncle Mark was furious, calling out both Shawn and Chelsea for their behavior. “Don’t worry, Brianna. Maddie’s spot is as good as hers again.” “I’ll remove that little thief’s name right away and get Maddie enrolled.” He even sent me a screenshot to confirm it. Looking at the screenshot, I couldn’t help but smile. Chelsea had pulled out all the stops to get Jake into Summit Elementary. I could only imagine the look on her face when she found out the school’s principal was my uncle!
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