Stepmom & Dad Went On Vacation With Their Daughter, Leaving Me Alone. So I Made Sure They Didn't...

my name is Carol and I'm 22 years old I just graduated from college and I've got a story to tell you about my house well technically my mother's house or it was until she passed away from intestinal Cancer 4 years ago and left it to me mom was always the planning type even before the cancer diagnosis she made sure everything was in order the house was hers free and clear she' bought it before she even met my dad and thank God for that for Sight she made sure I knew about the will too this way

you'll always have a home she told me her voice steady despite everything she was going through things weren't always this complicated my parents marriage lasted 10 years before Dad decided to leave us for another woman I was nine when he packed his bags no drama no fighting over custody or property he just left the only thing he agreed to was paying for my college education he set up a special account and transferred the entire sum for my future studies right away I guess that was his version of Child Support dad started a new family pretty

quickly his wife Linda had their daughter shortly after she's 10 years younger than me I'd visit sometimes staying at their rented house but it never felt right Linda would be busy with my half sister cing over her latest accomplishment or fixing her hair dad was always working claiming he needed to provide for his family funny how I wasn't really included in that category anymore Carol would you like to join us for dinner Linda would ask but her tone always suggested she hoped I'd decline we kept things cordial though exchanging birthday cards holiday greetings the occasional

forced family dinner it was all very proper and polite in that uncomfortable way that makes your skin crawl mom made good money as a senior accountant so when the cancer hit she could focus entirely on treatment I was 14 when we got the diagnosis she quit her job immediately to focus on fighting the disease for 4 years we lived between hospital visits and treatment sessions mom never complained not once she just kept fighting kept planning kept making sure I would be okay but cancer doesn't care about plans I was 18 when she died just weeks

before I was supposed to leave for college in another state the grief Hit me hard I could barely function that's when Dad surprised me by actually stepping up he Linda and my half sister moved in temporarily to help me cope with the loss I was too numb to question it at the time too grateful for any support I could get wek help you through this Dad said putting his arm around my shoulders Linda nodded along trying to look sympathetic while my half sister explored what was now my house by the end of summer I was

faced with a dilemma College was starting in a few weeks and I had no idea what to do with Mom's house my house now I couldn't bear the thought of selling it but leaving it empty for 4 years didn't seem smart either that's when Dad came up with his proposal over breakfast one morning Carol he said pushing his coffee mug aside I've been thinking what if we stayed here we pay all the bills maintain the place you wouldn't have to worry about anything while you're at school I looked at Linda who was making pancakes at

the stove she turned around and smiled it would be good for all of us she added Sophie's already enrolled in the local school and the house would be well taken care of it made sense during the 2 months they'd been staying with me things had been surprisingly okay Linda had stopped being so distant and Sophie my half- sister had actually started treating me like a real sister instead of some stranger who showed up occasionally so I agreed looking back it seemed like the perfect solution I packed up mom's personal things keeping what I wanted and

storing the rest in the attic I left for college feeling confident about my decision over the next four years I came home during holidays and summer breaks those visits were nice actually Linda would cook these big welcome home dinners I made your favorite lasagna she'd say as if she'd always known my favorites Sophie would drag me to her room to show me her latest artwork or tell me about School drama during Christmas breaks we'd all decorate the tree together dad would lift Sophie to put the star on top while Linda and I argued good-naturedly about

whether tinsel was tacky or classic we'd sit around drinking hot chocolate and sometimes I could almost forget that this wasn't the family I started with Summer visits were different longer more relaxed Sophie and I would spend afternoons by the community pool and I'd help her with her summer reading Linda would invite me to her book club meetings and we'd actually have fun dissecting whatever romance novel they'd chosen that month your sister's so good with Sophie I overheard Linda telling Dad one evening it's nice having her home that made me feel warm inside like maybe we

really had become a proper family I called regularly during semesters weekly chats with Dad about my classes catching up with Linda about house maintenance the Roses you planted are blooming beautifully Carol and FaceTime sessions with Sophie who kept me updated on her Middle School Adventures everything seemed perfect we'd created this strange but functional family Dynamic built on the foundation of my mother's house I never imagined it could could all fall apart so quickly but I guess that's the thing about houses no matter how solid the foundation you never know what's going on Behind the Walls

finally at 22 with my degree in hand and a job lined up back home I was ready to start the next chapter of my life I'd already accepted a position at Marshall and Brooks Financial in my hometown they'd interviewed me via zoom and offered me the job right away everything was falling into place perfectly or so I thought the taxi dropped me off in front of my house on a Sunny June afternoon I stood there for a moment taking in the familiar sight mom's rose bushes were in full bloom though they looked different from how

she used to maintain them the lawn was neatly trimmed and new curtains hung in the windows little changes that had happened while I was away at College Wheeling my suitcases up the front walk I reached for my keys with a smile already imagining sleeping in my old room tonight but when I tried to unlock the door something was wrong the key wouldn't turn I tried again thinking maybe I was just tired from the journey but no the key definitely didn't fit what the hell I muttered trying the key again before finally giving up and knocking

on the door loudly since it was the middle of the day and they might be watching TV Linda opened the door her eyes widening in Surprise she was wearing an apron and had flour on her hands like she'd been baking Carol what are you doing here I wheeled my suitcase inside noticing dad and Sophie in the living room both looking equally startled by my appearance Sophie was sprawled on the couch with her phone while Dad sat in his favorite armchair mom's old armchair actually reading something on his tablet what do you mean I live here

I said looking around at what seemed like subtle changes to the living room decor why were the locks changed dad sced touched his neck that nervous habit he's had since forever oh that yeah I changed them last month for safety you know there were some break-ins in the neighborhood you could have told me I said trying to keep the annoyance out of my voice or sent me a new key I mean this is my house we weren't expecting you Linda said carefully her arms crossed over her chest she'd wipe the flower off her hands and

was looking increasingly uncomfortable why not I graduated last week I told you guys I was coming home to start my new job I looked between them feeling increasingly uneasy something was off about their reactions Sophie had even put down her phone and was watching the scene unfold with an odd expression Carol dad cut in suddenly standing up can we talk in the office for a minute I followed him into mom's old office my office now technically the room still had mom's degrees on the wall her collection of financial reference books on the shelves he closed

the door behind us and I noticed his hands were shaking slightly as he turned to face me listen honey he started his voice low there's something you need to know Linda well she thinks this house belongs to me I stared at him not comprehending what I told her it was my house he continued not meeting my eyes that I gave it to your mother and you out of kindness after the divorce and that after your mom passed it reverted to me she thinks she'd just been living here because I allowed it I must have stood

there gaping at dad for a full minute before finding my voice again my first instinct was to storm out of the office and tell Linda everything now I understood her surprised look when I showed up in her mind I was just some freeloader trying to crash in their house I have to tell her the truth I said moving toward the door but dad caught my arm please Carol he begged his voice barely above a whisper just give me a little time I'll find us a new place to live I promise I just need to figure

out how to tell her without destroying our marriage destroying your marriage I hissed what about what you're doing to me he pulled a set of keys from his pocket holding them out like a peace offering these are for the new locks please sweetheart just a few weeks that's all I'm asking let me handle this my way I took the keys feeling sick to my stomach fine I said finally but this is insane dad you know that right he nodded relief washing over his face thank you honey I'll make this right I promise but things started

going downhill immediately at dinner that night the atmosphere was thick with tension Linda kept shooting me these looks across the table all her previous warmth gone the woman who used to bake my favorite cookies and invite me to book club now acted like I was a stranger who'd wandered and off the street more potatoes dad Sophie asked completely oblivious to the tension would anyone mind if I redecorate at the living room Linda asked suddenly not looking at me the current setup is a bit dated I gripped my Fork tighter knowing she was talking about Mom's

Furniture Arrangement dad coughed awkwardly and changed the subject the next morning I was making coffee when Linda cornered me in the kitchen she was still in her robe hair uncombed but her eyes were sharp and focused Carol she said leaning against the counter I think we need to to talk about your plans my plans yes when are you planning to look for your own place she asked it casually like she was asking about the weather now that you have a job lined up you should start thinking about moving out you're a grown woman now after

all I took a slow sip of coffee counting to 10 in my head actually I've talked to Dad about staying here for now he's fine with it Linda's lips pressed into a thin line and for a moment I thought she might argue instead she just turned and walked out of the kitchen leaving me alone with my cooling coffee and a growing sense of dread about how this was all going to play out the next two weeks were like living in a hostile environment Linda's attitude shifted from cold to downright passive aggressive she'd accidentally wash my

clothes with colors that would bleed claiming she forgot which laundry basket was mine she'd Cook family dinners but conveniently make just enough for three people acting surprised when I came to the table when I tried to watch TV in the living room she'd suddenly need to vacuum right there if I was using the kitchen to make breakfast she'd barge in and start reorganizing the cabinets muttering about how some people never learn to keep things tidy she even moved my mother's favorite vase from its spot on the mantle to some corner shelf claiming it didn't match

her new decorating Vision the worst part was watching so follow her mother's lead my half sister who just weeks ago had been sending me memes and calling me for advice about boys now rolled her eyes whenever I entered a room she started calling me that girl when talking about me to her friends on the phone loud enough for me to hear despite the tension at home my professional life was taking off I visited Marshall and Brooks Financial where they showed me my future workspace a nice corner desk with a view of downtown my future colleagues

seemed friendly and welcoming especially Sarah from the risk assessment team who offered to take me to lunch when do you start she asked over sandwiches 2 weeks I replied just enough time to settle in at home that evening at dinner I shared my start date with the family trying to maintain some semblance of normaly they showed me my office today I started in 2 weeks Linda's Fork clinked against her plate as set it down with exaggerated care well isn't that wonderful once you get your first paycheck you can start looking for your own apartment I

know of some nice complexes across town very affordable for young professionals I caught dad's pleading look across the table his eyes seemed to beg me to keep quiet to maintain his light just a little longer I stabbed at my peas and said nothing to avoid the tension at home I started reconnecting with old high school friends Katie and Jessica were still in town and we'd meet for coffee or shopping trips falling back into our old rhythms as if no time had passed but coming home was always uncomfortable I'd walk in and hear hushed conversations from

the kitchen or living room that would stop abruptly when I appeared dad and Linda would spring apart like guilty teenagers papers would be hastily shoved into drawers and fake Smiles would plaster themselves across their faces Saturday morning I woke up to an unusually quiet house no sound of Linda's weekend meal prep in the kitchen no Sophie's music blasting from her room no dad watching sports on TV the silence felt wrong somehow like the Calm before a storm I padded downstairs in my pajamas checking each room as I went the kitchen was spotless not just clean

but unused since the night before the living room was empty the throw pillows perfectly arranged on the couch Sophie's boots usually cluttering the entryway were gone even dad's car wasn't in the driveway I checked my phone no messages no notes about where everyone had gone my first thought was that maybe they'd gone out for breakfast but something felt off they never went out for breakfast without at least leaving a note even during these tense weeks they'd maintained that basic courtesy I tried calling dad first but his phone went straight to voicemail weird I tried a

few more times with the same result that automated voice telling me the person I was trying to reach was unavailable a knot started forming in my stomach finally I called Linda she picked up on the fourth ring just as I was about to hang up what do you want her voice was sharp hostile in a way I'd never heard before in the background I could hear waves and what sounded like tropical music I just wanted to know where everyone is I said caught off guard by her tone I woke up and the house was empty

she laughed an ugly mean sound that made my stomach clench oh didn't we tell you we're in the Maldives first class flights luxury resort the works we didn't mention it because frankly we didn't want you tagging along and expecting us to pay for you too not that you'd know anything about paying for things you're self what I wouldn't save it she cut me off I'm sick of this whole situation you're nothing but a lazy freeloader living in our house like you own the place your father might put up with it but I'm done do you

know how embarrassing it is to have a grown woman living in our house eating our food using our utilities my hands were shaking so hard I could barely hold the phone I sank into one of the kitchen chairs my mother's chair chairs actually my leg suddenly too weak to hold me up Linda I no you listen to me she snarled your father never loved you you were just an obligation he already wasted enough money on your college education and now you're squatting in our house like some entitled princess well I've had enough did you think

you could just live here forever mooching off us while we work hard to maintain this home I could hear Sophie giggling in the background and Dad's muffled voice saying something I couldn't make out the Betrayal felt like a physical blow when we get back she continued her voice dripping with Venom I want you gone do you understand me pack your things and get out of our house if you're still there when we return I'll throw you out myself and trust me I won't be gentle about it I don't care where you go live on the

street for all I care you're not our problem anymore but and don't bother trying to call your father he agrees with me he's just too weak to tell you himself we've already blocked your number have a nice life Carol or don't I really couldn't care less the line went dead I sat in that kitchen for what felt like hours Fury slowly replacing shock they were living in my house the house my mother had worked for had left to me and they had the nerve to call me a freeloader to try to throw me out well

I'd had enough of playing along with dad's lies I blocked their numbers on my phone my hands still shaking but now with anger rather than hurt then I started methodically going through the house Gathering their belongings Linda's expensive clothes Sophie's school stuff dad's golf clubs everything went into boxes and suitcases I worked through the entire Saturday fuel by rage and bitter disappointment by Sunday morning I had their life packed up and stacked in the garage I found a 24-hour locksmith who could come right away he worked quickly replacing the locks on all the doors it

cost a small fortune but it was worth every penny when he finished I handed him my credit card feeling a strange sense of satisfaction as I clutched the new keys Monday morning I started my new job at Marshall and Brooks for 2 weeks I threw myself into work learning the ropes making new friends trying not to think about the confrontation I knew was coming I kept their stuff in the garage but I rearranged the house back to how mom had it removing every trace of Linda's decorating Vision then came that Friday I pulled into the

driveway after work to find them standing there dad looking nervous Linda red-faced with Fury and Sophie hanging back with a scowl they must have just gotten back from their vacation their suitcases were still in their rental car Linda started screaming before I even got out of my car how dare you change our locks how dare you lock us out of our own house I walked calmly past them to unlock the door Linda followed still yelling we're calling the police this is breaking and entering this is our house I turned to face them something inside me

finally snapping no Linda it's not your house it never was this house belongs to me my mother bought it before she even met Dad she left it to me in her will the only reason you've been living here is because I allowed it temporarily Linda laughed but it was an uncertain sound she looked at dad tell her she's lying tell her this is our house Dad wouldn't meet anyone's eyes he just Shrugged his shoulders slumping she's telling the truth the house it was always hers I watched as the truth sank in as Linda's face transformed

from Rage to calculation in a matter of seconds her entire demeanor changed like a switch had been flipped oh Carol sweetheart she said forcing a laugh you didn't think I was serious on the phone did you I was just joking you know how I can get sometimes all that that sun and those tropical cocktails went to my head stop it I said quietly but she kept going we're family remember all those nice times we had the book club meetings the holiday dinners we can have that again she took a step toward me arms outstretched like

she was going to hug me dad jumped in then his voice thick with emotion princess I'm so sorry I know I handled this all wrong but I love you you're my daughter please can't we work this out I looked at him really looked at him the father who left when I was nine who paid for my education but missed my life who lied about my house my inheritance my mother's Legacy work what out dad the fact that you lied to your wife about owning my house or the fact that you stood by while she planned

to throw me out of it Linda turned back to me with that smile Carol let's be reasonable we can all live here together we'll pay rent no I said firmly we can't your things are in the garage take them and leave that's when Linda's mask cracked again you ungrateful little after everything we've done for you you'd throw your own family out on the street I felt oddly calm as I replied you just spent what $10,000 on a luxury vacation you deliberately hid from me pretty sure you can afford an apartment Carol please Dad tried again

reaching for my arm I know I messed up but no I cut him off you didn't mess up you lied four years you let your wife believe she owned my mother's house you watched her try to redecorate it rearrange it erase every trace of mom and when she planned to throw me out you said nothing I was going to tell her the truth he protested when after I was gone after she'd finished making my house her home I shook my head I'm done get your things and get out I walked inside and closed the door

ignoring Linda's screams about ingratitude and cruelty through the window I watched them loading boxes from the garage into their rental car Linda was still yelling her face red with Fury Sophie was crying dad just looked defeated it took them three trips to get everything as they loaded the last box Dad tried one more time knocking on the door I didn't open it they finally left as the sun was setting the next day Dad tried calling from a new number Carol please he begged we can fix this no Dad we can't I said Linda made it

very clear how you all really feel about me a freeloader an obligation someone you never loved maybe those were her words but your silence said enough that was 2 months ago I still live in Mom's house my house I've repainted the walls planted new roses in the garden made it mine again sometimes I think about them wonder where they ended up but mostly I think about Mom and how she made sure I'd always have a home no matter what dad still tries to call sometimes from different numbers I don't pick up anymore some bridges once

burned should stay ashes the funny thing is I'm happier now my job is going well I've made new friends at work and for the first time since mom died I feel at peace in this house sometimes healing means letting go of people of lies of the fairy tale of family you wanted to believe in