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PART 2

—Dad… what’s happening?

Brandon's voice no longer sounded arrogant.
It sounded... confused.

"There are people in the house," he said. "Some men are changing the locks."

I didn't respond immediately.

I looked out the window of my office, calm.
I had waited for this moment longer than I cared to admit.

—They're not "men"—I finally told him—.
They're the new owners.

Silence.

A heavy silence.
The kind that speaks louder than words.

"What are you talking about?" Her voice rose. "This is my house!"

I took a deep breath.

—No, Brandon. He never was.

I could imagine her face at that moment.
The disbelief.
The rage.

"The house is in the name of Redwood Capital," I continued. "
And I am the sole owner."

—That's impossible… you said it was mine…

—I let you live there— I corrected him.
—It's not the same thing.

I heard noise in the background.
Amber's voice, agitated.
Doors opening.
Hurried footsteps.

For the first time… chaos in their perfect world.

"You can't do this," he said. "All my things are in there!"

"And you'll have time to pick them up," I replied calmly. "
Like any other tenant."

Another pause.

But this time it wasn't silence.
It was reality crashing down on him.

"Why are you doing this?" he asked, more quietly.

And then… the moment arrived.

"Because yesterday you stopped being my son," I said without raising my voice. "
And you became someone who raises his hand against his father."