“Mom. Sell the house.” I just stood there, still clutching the wooden spoon as if it could protect me. “What are you talking about?” I whispered. He slammed the phone down on the table – missed calls, threatening messages, dozens of unknown numbers. “They’re not kidding. If we don’t pay tonight, they’ll be here.” My stomach tightened. “This is your father’s house. This is all we have.” His jaw clenched, his eyes bulging. “So you’re choosing a house over your own son?” I reached out to him – pleading, begging – and he pushed me hard. My back hit the kitchen counter. I tasted blood. I heard myself cry out, then a neighbor’s voice coming through the wall: “Hey! Are you alright?” The next sound wasn’t his. It was a police siren…
“Mom. Sell the house.” I just stood there, still clutching the wooden spoon as if it could protect me. “What are you talking about?” I whispered. Ethan paced the narrow kitchen, the heels of his work boots clicking against the linoleum. His hoodie was inside out like he’d thrown it on in a panic. When…