The door shook with each relentless knock, jolting me out of my thoughts.

It was Mia on the other side. The moment Evley laid eyes on Mia, tears began streaming down her cheeks.

She sobbed, her voice trembling, "Mia, I can't keep living like this with your dad!

"Do you know what I saw when I got here today?

"They were in the kitchen, getting cozy, completely oblivious to my return.

"I've felt something was off for days now. Just the other day, this shameless old man was even washing her dirty laundry!

"I've got some dignity—how can they behave like this?"

"Everly, what do you mean washing dirty laundry? You're being completely absurd," Carter's voice echoed from the bathroom.

"Only guilty people feel the need to explain themselves so frantically," Everly shot back, her frustration palpable.

"Wait, that's not..." I started, but Mia's piercing gaze turned toward me.

"Celeste, this isn't your moment to chime in!" she barked, springing to her feet and shoving me back a few steps.

"Have you no shame, getting involved with my dad like that? You're not embarrassed to let this all get out?"

Carter, suddenly bursting out of the bathroom, roared, "Mia, is your mom going crazy? Are you losing it, too?

"She just spends all her time out playing cards while I handle every bit of housework! I'm the one who cooks and cleans—doing it all myself!

"Celeste's been the one covering for me even after her childbirth; your mother comes back and starts this craziness!"

"You're clearly blinded by that little vixen, Dad! You never would've talked to Mom like that before!" Mia snapped back defiantly.

"YOU!" It looked like Carter was about to raise his hand to Mia.

I rushed forward, my heart racing. "Dad!"

I feared that if he went through with it, things would spiral even further out of control. Just then, Leon came in, catching the commotion.

"What's going on? Why the blow-up?" Leon asked, gripping Carter's hand alongside me.

Mia, puffing out her chest defiantly, shouted, "You're actually going to raise your hand to me for some outsider? Go ahead, put me out of my misery!"

Carter's face turned a furious shade of red, but words failed him.

Leon edged Mia away, trying to mediate. "Hey, sis, don't talk to Dad like that."

Carter was visibly shaky, and I helped him to the couch, where I quickly fetched some heart medicine from my bag and handed it to him.

Just as Carter started to recover, our baby began crying in the other room, demanding my attention. I had no choice but to go soothe the child.

Mia, frustrated, shook off Leon's hand. "You've got cuckolded and you're still here playing the peacemaker?"

Everly seized Leon's arm, her eyes filled with tears as she repeated her earlier tirade. "Leon, listen to your mom. Amanda's husband and her daughter-in-law colluded to move all their assets. Now that she's ready to divorce, Amanda discovers the whole truth!

"I've noticed Celeste acting off lately. Who knows what she's really up to?

"You need to count our assets quickly and maybe even consider a divorce from Celeste!"

Leon, struck by disbelief, stood there dumbfounded, speechless for what felt like an eternity.

"Did you hear that?" Everly nudged him, insisting he respond.

"That's impossible, Mom. Celeste would never do something like that!" His voice was firm and protective.

He quickly pushed open our bedroom door, standing there like a barrier. "Sweetheart, it can't be like what Mom is saying, right?

"How could you think I'd have anything with my dad? I don't buy it."

"If you truly didn't believe it, you wouldn't be asking," I said, looking down at the baby in my arms.

Taking a deep breath, I continued, "Leon, seriously, there's nothing going on between me and your dad.

"I know I just had a baby, so I shouldn't be doing anything too strenuous, but when I called for you a few times to help with washing some clothes, you never came.

"I washed my own stuff with gloves the other day. Your dad helped with my coat; I have no clue how your mom twisted that into something else.

"Today, when I was cutting vegetables, I accidentally sliced my hand. I couldn't put on a band-aid by myself, so Dad helped. But the moment Mom walked in, she didn't bother getting the whole story—she just started yelling.

"She's been like this lately, always on edge and jumping to conclusions."

"I'm so sorry, babe. I shouldn't have doubted you," he said, moving closer to pull me into a gentle embrace.

"Maybe we should get Mom and Dad to leave for a bit? I just had the baby, and while I can wear gloves to cook, I'd rather avoid any mix-ups like this. It's exhausting to explain myself." I suggested tentatively.

"Do you want to call your mom to come help? You really shouldn't be cooking right now, especially with a newborn," he replied, concern etched on his face.

"I asked her already, but she's busy taking care of my little brother's wife. She just had a baby too, so my mom can't make it," I admitted, my spirit dimming slightly.

Finally, Leon squeezed my shoulder, reassuring me that he was going to talk to Everly.

I chose to stay back, giving them some space to work it out.

In the dead of night, Leon crept quietly into bed, wrapping his arms around me from behind. "Sweetheart, Mom said she was way too rash today, and she apologizes to you," he whispered softly.

I remained motionless and silent, offering no response.

He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "After what happened to Amanda, she wants to transfer our house under her name for now. I agreed. But don't worry, once she feels more at ease, I'll figure out how to get it back.

"Babe, just bear with it a bit for our family's sake."

No wonder Everly was apologizing—she had ulterior motives.

Suddenly, I bolted upright in bed. "We both bought this house together, didn't we?

"The title has both our names. Even if I wanted to sell, you'd need to be there to sign. So, Mom shouldn't even have any concerns about that."

He looked unhappy but resolute. "Can't you just be a bit more understanding? This isn't a big deal, and it's all for the family's harmony.

"Like I said, after this phase, I'll retrieve the house. Why can't you just think it through? Must you put me in such a tight spot?"

"The house issue is non-negotiable. I'm not that kind of sneaky person, nor do I stoop to such actions," I declared, turning my back and closing my eyes, refusing to engage further.

He was silent for a short moment before saying, "Fine, if you're really against transferring the house, we won't.

"Mom mentioned wanting to invest some money into Mia's company for interest. Her funds aren't enough, so I lent her our 300-thousand-dollar savings."

I turned around, my tone irked. "Why didn't you discuss this with me before just making the decision?

"We just had Lucy, and I'm currently unemployed too. If we face some emergency, what will we do now that all our money is gone?"

"Mom will just return the money when needed. Besides, our savings in the bank aren't doing much; at least with the investment, we'll have a bit more income every month."

"But..." I began, but he cut me off by gently gripping my shoulders.

"Look, I've already lent the money, so it'd be awkward to ask for it back now. I'll find a way to get it back later," he said, softening his tone.