Alexander exhaled deeply.
Like a window had just opened.
“Funny how that works,” I said, looking at Patricia.
“Turns out I didn’t just pay…”
“I signed.”
“All of it.”
Her fan stopped mid-air.
For the first time…
She lost her rhythm.
“That’s just a formality,” she snapped, though her voice wavered.
“My daughter and your son live here. This is their home. You can’t just—”
“That’s exactly why I’m here,” I cut in.
“Because someone confused being a guest… with being the owner.”
“And it needs to be clarified.”
I pulled out the second document.
A white envelope.
Her name printed clearly:
Patricia Collins
I held it up for everyone to see.
“I didn’t come here to argue,” I said calmly.
“I came to inform you.”
Alexander stepped forward.
I raised my hand. He stopped.
No one spoke.
Even the music seemed to fade.
I placed the envelope in front of her.
Slowly.
“This arrived this morning,” I said.
“It’s for you.”
“You should read it here. In front of everyone.”
“No misunderstandings that way.”
Her hands hesitated.
Her eyes moved from the envelope…
To my face.
Looking for a crack.
She didn’t find one.
She tore it open.
The entire room held its breath.
And when she reached the first line—
The color drained from her face.
PART 2