They Came Back To No Home Chapter 05

They Came Back To No Home Chapter 05

That evening, the first call I received was from Paige.

“HR and Compliance just called Peyton,” Paige said. “Notified him that he’s suspended pending investigation.”

Holding Tanya, I said flatly, “How did he take it?”

“Word is, his hand was shaking so bad when he took the call, he nearly dropped the phone.”

Paige’s tone carried a hint of satisfaction.

“He blurted out, ‘What did you say?‘ The investigator repeated it, and he went completely silent.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it. He didn’t even try to defend himself.”

Paige added, “Falsifying reason for leave and prolonged absence without permission–either one is enough.

for termination.”

“Peyton is finished this time.”

I listened without saying a word.

After a couple of minutes, Paige spoke up again.

“Word is, when their department head found out, he slammed his office door and said, ‘A man who won’t even

be there for his wife who just gave birth, but runs off to Europe with another woman’s parents–what do we

need someone like that for?”

I gripped my phone. My fingertips felt cold before slowly warming back up.

After hanging up, I opened the family group chat.

Cathleen had already lost it–one voice message after another, wailing and carrying on.

“That wicked Melody! She ruined my son’s career!”

“My son is such a good man, and she got him suspended! What more does she want!”

“Can you believe a wife would do this to her own husband?”

The group chat stayed quiet for a few moments.

A few minutes later, someone finally replied cold–heartedly.

[Your son took his mistress abroad and you’re turning around to play the victim? Have you no shame?]

[Exactly. Melody was home alone with a newborn, while your son was off in Europe with another woman and her parents. And you have the nerve to play the victim?]

[Cathleen, when you were posting those first–class photos from your trip, did it ever cross your mind that your daughter–in–law had just given birth and was home alone?]

Cathleen fell silent.

Half an hour later, my phone rang again.

It was Mr. Fowler.

“Ms. Walsh…” his tone sounded somewhat conflicted. “Your exhusband is at the apartment–refusing to

leave.”

I tightened my grip on the phone. “Tell me what happened.”

Mr. Fowler told me what happened, piece by piece.

He said he went over to take possession of the property today.

The moment he opened the door, Peyton and his mother were inside with two massive suitcases.

He said Peyton was leaning against the wall at the time, his face horrifyingly pale, as if his soul had been

sucked out of him.

He said the moment Cathleen saw him walk in, she blew up on the spot, throwing herself onto the floor and

throwing a full–blown tantrum.

“This is our home! Who do you think you are, waltzing in here?”

“My son lived here for three years! You’re an outsider; what right do you have to kick us out!”

Mr. Fowler didn’t panic and pulled out the property deed.

“This place was transferred yesterday. The owner is now me.”

Cathleen’s face turned dark instantly.

She pointed at Mr. Fowler and shrieked at the top of her lungs.

“It’s Melody! She sold it to you, didn’t she? That jinx–what right does she have to sell our home?”

Mr. Fowler said he didn’t waste another word on her and called the police directly.

The officers arrived, checked the title deed, reviewed the transfer records, and turned to Peyton.

“This is his legal property. Staying here without permission constitutes illegal trespassing. Either you leave

right now, or you come with us to the police station.”

Peyton’s face drained of all color.

Without saying a word, he bent down and dragged Cathleen up from the floor.

“Mom, let’s go.”

“Go? Go where!” Cathleen was still howling. “This is my home!”

“The place… was sold,” Peyton said, his voice hoarse and broken. “Mom… we don’t have a home anymore.”

Cathleen froze.

She looked at the bare living room, then at her son, and suddenly burst into tears, a raw, genuine wail this

time.

Peyton picked up the two suitcases, supported his mother with one arm, and walked out the front door step

by step.

The door slammed shut behind them with a loud bang.

Mr. Fowler sighed on the other end of the line. “Ms. Walsh, don’t blame me for being harsh. The place is mine

now.”

I let out a small smile. “Mr. Fowler, you did the right thing.”

After hanging up, I stood by the window.

The wind picked up outside, blowing the fallen leaves beneath the trees into swirling circles across the

ground.

The home that once was mine had a new owner now.

And the man who once shared it had been swept out of my life for good.

Tanya slept peacefully in my arms.

I looked down at her, gently patting her back.

That night, I slept more soundly than I ever had before.

The next morning, I was jolted awake by my phone buzzing nonstop.