Chapter 5 - The Order
Two weeks after Dean arrived, Tessa came home earlier than expected.
She heard furniture scraping before she opened the door.
Inside the hallway, Ethan was dragging her largest suitcase from the bedroom. It was open, and several blouses had fallen onto the floor.
Dean stood behind him carrying a box of her books.
Tessa froze.
“What are you doing?”
Ethan did not stop.
“We’re moving your things into the office.”
“You went through my drawers?”
“You kept delaying the decision.”
“There was no decision. I told you Dean could use the couch.”
Dean dropped the box near the office.
“I need privacy for interviews.”
Tessa looked at him.
“You haven’t applied for a single job.”
Dean’s mouth tightened.
Ethan stepped between them.
“Don’t speak to my brother like that.”
“This is my home.”
“It’s our home.”
“Then why am I the only person being removed from the bedroom?”
Ethan pulled another suitcase into the hallway.
“Because Dean is a guest, and guests should be comfortable.”
Tessa laughed in disbelief.
“I pay the mortgage. I pay the utilities. I paid for the bed you’re giving away.”
Ethan pointed at her.
“There it is again. Money, money, money. You think earning more means you control everyone.”
“I’m asking for basic respect.”
“You’re creating drama over a room.”
“It’s not about the room.”
Ethan’s face reddened.
“Shut your mouth and stay out of men’s business.”
Tessa stopped breathing for a moment.
Dean looked away, but he did not object.
Ethan turned toward the office.
“You’ll sleep in there until Dean leaves.”
Something inside Tessa finally broke free.
Not her anger.
Her denial.
She saw the hallway, the carelessly thrown clothes, and the husband who believed her exhaustion was a resource he could spend.
Without saying another word, Tessa took out her phone.
She did not call the police.
She did not call a friend.
May you like
She called her mother.
“Mama,” she said when Marlene answered. “I need you to come over.”
