Chapter 9: Get Out!
1384 Words
Richard has been silent since the party. No calls, no texts—just complete radio silence. I should feel relieved, glad that the whole charade is finally over. But instead, I catch myself checking my phone every few minutes, hoping—no, aching—to see his name light up my screen.
I hate admitting it, even to myself, but I miss him. I miss his voice, the warmth of his laughter, those mesmerizing eyes. And that face—sharp, chiselled, almost otherworldly.
I sigh, running a hand through my messy hair as I walk into the living room. I’ve been cranky all morning. The house is a war zone—the twins’ clothes are strewn all over the couch, and Harper’s schoolbooks are scattered across the floor.
I let out another sigh and kneel to pick up what I can. God, I don’t even know where to start.
"Collins, stop rubbing cereal all over your face!" I scold, glaring at my four-year-old brother, who's having the time of his life smearing mush all over himself.
He grins at me, completely unbothered.
"Harper," I turn to my sister, who’s buried in her math homework, frowning at her calculator. "Why are you just now doing your homework? School starts in an hour!"
She barely looks up. "I forgot over the weekend," she mumbles, scribbling something down.
I pinch the bridge of my nose, frustration bubbling inside me. "What has gotten into you guys today?!" My voice comes out sharper than I intended, and immediately, a wave of guilt crashes over me.
But deep down, I know this isn’t about Harper or the twins. It’s about him—the man who's been living rent-free in my mind. The man who kissed me like I meant something, then disappeared without a word.
I press my palms against my face, inhaling deeply.
"Nessa, are you okay?" Harper’s voice is soft, cautious.
I lower my hands and force a small smile. "Yeah, I’m fine."
"I’m sorry about the homework," she says, guilt written all over her face.
"It’s okay, just finish up quickly so you’re not late for school," I sigh.
"Can I have more cereal, Nessa?" Colby pipes up, his big, round eyes pleading.
Damn it. How can I say no to that face?
"Of course, baby," I say, ruffling his curls before heading into the kitchen. I pour more cereal into his bowl, watching as his lips curl into the biggest, brightest smile.
Then—
Knock. Knock.
I freeze, my stomach twisting. Who the hell could that be?
"Harper, get the door!" I call out.
"Alright!" she yells back. I hear the sound of the door unlocking, then footsteps.
And then—
"Where’s your good-for-nothing sister?"
Shit.
I already know who it is before I even step out of the kitchen.
I swallow my irritation and force a fake smile as I step into the living room. "Mr. Gregory! What a… surprise."
Our landlord scowls, his round belly jiggling beneath his stained t-shirt. "I’m here for my rent."
Oh, great. Here we go again.
"Right. The rent," I say, stalling. "Listen, I don’t have it right now. Could you give me just one more month—"
"You must be joking," he barks, cutting me off. "It’s been two years, Vanessa. Two damn years of excuses!"
I glance at Harper and subtly nod toward the twins. "Take them inside," I whisper. She understands immediately, scooping up Colby and Collins and disappearing into their bedroom.
Now it’s just me and him.
Gregory eyes me up and down, undressing me with his stare. Disgust churns in my stomach.
"You know, Vanessa," he says, stepping closer. "You’re a real pretty thing…"
His eyes darken, and before I can react, his hand reaches for the strap of my dress.
I slap his hand away, rage igniting inside me. "You’re disgusting."
He chuckles. "Come on now. It’s not like you’re a saint. You don’t have to pay in cash, you know…"
I clench my fists, my whole body trembling with anger. "Get. Out."
"You should consider my offer, sweetheart," he smirks. "One night with me, and your rent problems disappear."
My vision goes red.
"I said GET OUT!" I snap, throwing the door open.
Gregory glares at me. "Fine. But you better have my money next time, or I’ll be sending my lawyer."
"Do whatever you want. Just get the hell out."
He sneers but finally walks out.
I slam the door shut, my heart hammering. My legs feel like jelly as I sink onto the couch, pressing my fingers against my temple. A headache pounds behind my eyes.
What kind of life is this? Why does everything have to be so damn hard?
I need a job. Fast.
The doorbell rings again.
Oh, for crying out loud.
"Who is it now?!" I groan, rubbing my temples.
Harper returns from the bedroom with the boys. She rushes to the door and peeks through the peephole. When she turns back to me, her face is pale.
"Nessa," she whispers. "You need to see this."
I drag myself off the couch and yank the door open—
And my whole body goes stiff.
Standing in front of me, grinning like a damn fool, is Anthony.
My mother’s ex.
The father of the twins.
The man who ruined her life.
"Hey, Nessa," he slurs, flashing me his yellowed, crooked teeth. The stench of alcohol and weed rolls off him in waves.
My stomach turns.
"What the hell are you doing here?" My voice is sharp, furious.
This waste of a man—this pathetic excuse for a father—helped destroy my mother. Turned her into an addict. Broke her.
And now, after a whole year, he dares to show up at my doorstep?
"Where are my boys?" he asks, completely ignoring my rage.
The twins peek out from behind Harper, their tiny faces full of confusion.
"My babies!" Anthony spreads his arms wide. "Come to Daddy!"
They hesitate. They don’t run to him.
Good.
"I think you should leave, Tony," Harper says softly.
He scoffs. "And why should I? They’re my kids. I have every right to see them."
I see red.
"Get. Out," I hiss, stepping toward him.
Instead of leaving, the bastard walks right into my house and plops himself onto my couch like he owns the place.
Oh, HELL no.
"I’m taking the twins with me," Anthony announces, leaning back like he just declared something completely normal.
A cold, hollow laugh bursts from my lips.
"You?" I snort. "You’re taking the twins?"
"Yeah," he nods.
"Take the kids to their bedroom", I say to Harper.
Anthony stands up from his sitting position. Walking towards the kids as they climb the stairs to their bedroom.
But my voice stops him.
"One more step and you will regret walking into my home today ".
"And who's gonna stop me? Anthony Snickers. A smug grin on his face.
Harper takes the kids into their room and locks the door.
"I can see you're daring me ", Anthony says with his gruff voice. "You can't stop me from seeing my kids. I'm here to take them with me".
I tilt my head, arms crossed. "You disappeared for a year. Didn’t call. Didn’t check in. But now you think you can just waltz in and take them?"
"They’re my kids," he repeats and continues walking.
I close my eyes and count to ten.
Nope. Not working.
I open my eyes. "I'm gonna count one to three. If I open my eyes and still find you here after counting " I snicker. "Consider yourself a dead man".
"One ...two ", I count. "Three". I open my eyes and see the jerk still standing in front of me. Daring me.
This son of a b*** h thinks I'm playing.
I storm into the kitchen, grab the biggest knife I can find, and march right back out.
Anthony’s eyes go huge.
"Oh, hell no, she’s lost her damn mind!" he yelps, scrambling toward the door.
He fumbles with the lock, shaking like a leaf, then bolts out like the coward he is.
I slam the door behind him and let out a breath.
This life? It’s killing me.
But I’ll be damned if I let anyone take what’s mine.
- Writer
