Chapter 2 You can't kick me out of my house

Coraline's POV

Elijah dropped his cup on the counter and recoiled, " What?"

I quickly packed my things, " Look, I don't have time to talk. I have to get home, tell Mei what happened, and that I'm sorry I left abruptly."

" Do you need a ride?" He brought out his car keys and I shook my head.

"No, I'm fine. I can drive myself home." I rushed out of the cafe, got into the car, and drove home like my life depended on it.

I arrived home and there was a truck parked in front of it. Some men were taking things into the truck and others were throwing things on the lawn. Oh my God, was that my toaster in the yard? I parked my car and stormed out.

"Excuse me?" I called out to the men in the truck, " What the hell is going on? What are you doing in my house? Who gave you this order?"

One of the men, bald and stocky with a half-grown mustache sneered, " Quit your yapping lady, the boss is inside. We're just doing what we were told to do."

I gasped, unable to believe his tone. I clicked my tongue and headed into the house. Could it be a mortgage but the house didn't have any mortgage, I checked.

I entered my living room which was now stripped bare of his soul. Two men carried out my bed and I stepped out of their way before they slammed into me.

"Oh my God, what's going on here?" I cried.

" Be careful with that vase, Dale, I quite like it, I think it will be a good addition to my other vases." Blossom glided down the stairs like she owned the place. Oh my fucking God, this bitch really went ahead with her words. I honestly thought she was all talk.

"Blossom, what the fuck is going on here? Why are you tearing apart my house? What are you doing to my things?" I placed my hands on my hips.

She grinned and came over then crossed her arms over her chest, " I think you mean my house, this house belongs to me. I have every right to do what I want to do with it. If I say to throw away the trash," She flicked her hand at me, " the trash goes."

"What the hell are you talking about? This house doesn't belong to you, it belongs to Vince and as his wife, I inherited his things."

Blossom cackled, " Bitch please, do you really think Vince could afford to buy a house like this? My dad gave it to him as a wedding gift. My father's name is on the deed of the house. Since I'm father's daughter, I have every right to it."

My chest constricted and I suddenly felt short of air, surely Blossom was lying. Surely, this house belonged to Vince. Surely, my daughter and I weren't getting kicked out of our home.

"Blossom, what the hell are you saying? How do you expect me to believe your baseless words?"

"You really think I'll come here without any evidence. I'm not stupid." She picked up a large brown envelope from the table and headed it over to me. I brought out the paper, it was the deed to the house and it clearly stated my father-in-law was the owner of the house.

It felt like the rug had been pulled under my feet, the envelope fell from my hand and I was almost falling as well but I quickly supported myself with the wall. What the fuck, what the fuck, WHAT THE FUCK? What was I going to do? How were Becca and I going to survive?

"Okay, Blossom, the house might be yours but you don't need it, you have enough money and property that letting this one go with hurt you."

Blossom lifted a perfectly trimmed eyebrow, " And why should I do that? What do you think you're going to tell me that will convince me to do otherwise?"

" Blossom, you and I might not be on good terms and you blame me for Vince's death but remember Becca, she's your niece, she doesn't deserve to suffer like this. She's half of Vince, you might not have Vince but you'll always have her."

Blossom cackled and clapped her hands gleefully, " Sorry but I don't give two fucks about that pest. So you weren't able to change my mind. Get the fuck out of my house."

Fuck, this was actually happening, where was I going to go? I did a quick calculation of the money I had and it wouldn't be enough to rent an apartment.

" Blossom, please don't do this. We don't have anywhere else to go? I can't afford a new apartment right now. Give us some time to get ready."

" I don't give a fuck about your financial woes. I'll be generous and give you an hour to get whatever trash you need and get out of here. One hour, not a second more."

There was no need to beg her, she was the devil's incarnate. The clock was ticking, I raced up the stairs and packed as many things as I could in the little time I had. I took some clothes, mostly for Becca, her favorite toys, some food, and toiletries. I did the best I could with the time I had.

"Time's up. Get out!" Blossom screamed, I put the last bag in my trunk and locked it.

"Blossom, you're a real bitch. You'll get yours one day." I said as I wiped away sweat from my face.

She gave me a cheshire grin and waved," Buh-bye!"

I shook my head, got into the car, and drove away. I finally let the tears out and sobbed loudly as I drove around aimlessly until my car brought me to a hotel, I parked and got out of the car. The hotel was glamorous and flashy, from the moment I stepped in and got the fresh smell of money, I knew I was out of my league. The reception floor was tiled with luxury ceramic tiles, and the floor was so clean that I could eat off it, with Persian rugs on the floor, and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. I took my eyes off the hotel's aesthetics and approached the concierge to ask for the price of a room for the night. She gave me the price and it was three times my salary. I gulped and quickly excised myself to make a call. I hightailed out of there and into my car.

I finally found a motel that was more within my budget and paid for a room for a week. I took our things out of the trunk and set them up in the room. The room had a musky damp smell, and paint was peeling off the walls, I checked the bathroom, and there wasn't any hot water, and the tap didn't run well. I returned to the room and sat on the bed, it made a squeaky sound and I almost screamed. I had hit rock bottom.

I grabbed my bag and hurried out of the room, I knew if I waited a second more, I would keep finding faults with the room. I drove back to work and it was almost closing time.

"Hey, Cora, what happened? Elijah said something about your things being thrown out. I called you repeatedly but you didn't pick up." Mei took off her apron and hung it up.

I placed my bag on the counter and sighed, " Girl, it's a long story and I can't tell if without some food. I'm starving."

Mei snapped her fingers, " I've got you." She headed into the kitchen and returned with a plate filled with pastries. I swiped the plate from her hand and began to chomp down on the snacks.

"Coffee?" she asked, I shook my head, I was already too tensed and stressed for caffeine.

"Water." She brought out a bottle of water from the fridge and we sat at a table.

As I ate I retold the events of the day, starting from the cemetery.

"I can't believe it, that, that shantbag?" My eyes widened, Mei wasn't one to curse, using the word, shantbag, she was pissed, "How dare she do that to you?"

"I know right? I just wanted to reach over and squeeze the life out of the cunt's neck."

" So what are you going to do now? You can come stay with Tyler and I? We love you and Becca."

I stopped eating and bopped my head from side to side, " No fucking way, don't worry yourself. I already booked a hotel for a few nights. I'll start apartment hunting this evening, before the end of the week, I should have a new apartment."

Mei twisted her lips, " Are you sure? You know you can stay with us. We don't mind. It will be much cheaper."

I clasped Mei's hand, " Baby, don't worry yourself, I've got everything under control."

I lied through my teeth, I had nothing under control, in fact, I was spiraling out of control. I should be put on a billboard stating, out of control. I might be out of my head but the last thing I wanted to be was a burden to anyone.

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