Instead, he was looking at an overturned chair, disputed property documents, and the visible red mark across my cheek.
He turned toward me.
“Who hit you?”
Madison immediately interrupted.
“Nobody hit her! She’s making a scene because she’s jealous.”
The officer glanced at the swelling beneath my eye.
“I wasn’t asking you.”
I looked directly at him.
“My sister slapped me in front of everyone sitting at this table.”
Jake, Madison’s husband, closed his eyes.
My mother whispered, “Natalie, please.”
That single word almost made me laugh.
*Please.*
My parents never used it when I needed help.
They used it whenever telling the truth threatened to embarrass the family.
The officer asked Madison to step away from the dining table.
She protested.
“This is my home!”
Elena held up the deed again.
After examining the documents, the officer explained that ownership was disputed and wouldn’t be resolved through an immediate removal.
