“Can’t even afford a decent car, yet you’re sitting here having Christmas dinner with us?” they mocked me in front of the whole table. I simply set my glass down, looked straight at them, and said, “You should laugh a little quieter… because the building you live in belongs to me.”

family enough to mock, but not family enough to respect.”

He swallowed hard. “Please. Give us time.”

I considered it briefly. Not because he deserved it—but because I refused to become cruel like him.

“You have until five,” I said. “Same as every other tenant.”

Then I turned and walked toward the elevator.

Behind me, Lauren shouted, “Daniel, what else have continue reading …