Chapter 2: The New Landlord at the Door
The real estate agent didn't know who I was.
She just knew I had the funds, the paperwork, and a cashier's check with more zeros than Mom had ever seen from me.
I stood on the front porch while the agent knocked.
When the door opened, Mom froze.
She looked older.
Smaller somehow.
"Lena?"
"Hello, Mom."
Her eyes dropped to the folder in my hand, then back to my face.
"What are you doing here?"
"I bought the house," I said.
"The sale closed this morning."
Behind her, I heard Chloe's voice from the kitchen.
"Mom, who is it?"
Mom didn't answer.
She just stared at me like I was something she couldn't quite explain.
Chloe appeared in the hallway and stopped walking.
"What is *she* doing here?"
I looked at them both calmly.
"I'm your new landlord."
The silence that followed was the longest three seconds of my life.
Then Mom said something I never expected.
"Lena…
we need to talk.
There's something about the house you don't know."
Her hands were shaking.
And for the first time in five years, she wouldn't meet my eyes.
---
What secret is Mom hiding about that house — and why is she suddenly afraid?
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The full story is in the link below.
What Lena finds out next will leave you speechless.
