A year after my mom passed away, I returned home to find my suitcases by the door and a stranger lounging in my living room wearing my late mother's robe. Her ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend smirked and told me it was time for me to leave, but she had no idea whose house she was really in.

I pushed open the front door, my suitcase rolling in behind me. The house smelled like cheap perfume and something greasy. That wasn't right. My mom always kept the place clean, warm, and familiar.

Then, I saw two large suitcases, neatly stacked by the door. My suitcases. I froze. My pulse pounded in my ears.

Had someone broken in? No. The door wasn't forced. The place looked lived in. That's when I heard the TV.

I stepped into the living room and stopped cold.

A woman sat on the couch, legs crossed, a smirk on her face. She held a wine glass in one hand and the remote in the other, flipping through channels like she owned the place. But the worst part?

She was wearing my mother's robe.

The woman turned to me, eyes scanning me up and down like I was a delivery she hadn't ordered.

"Oh," she said with a laugh. "You're back earlier than I thought."

"Who are you?" My voice came out sharper than I expected.

She stretched out on the couch, completely at ease. "I'm Vanessa. Rick's fiancée."

Rick. My mom's ex. The man I'd let stay here out of respect for her last wish.

I clenched my jaw. "Where's Rick?"

Vanessa sipped her wine, looking pleased with herself. "Oh, he's out running errands. But he told me all about you." She set her glass down on the coffee table—my mother's coffee table. "Look, sweetie, Rick and I have been talking, and we really need this space to ourselves now. You understand, right?"

I stared at her. My brain refused to process her words. She needed this space?

"This is my house," I said slowly.

Vanessa actually laughed. "Oh, honey. I know Rick was being nice letting you stay here, but come on. You're a grown woman now. It's time to move on."

I gritted my teeth. "Rick doesn't own this house."

She waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, we'll handle all that legal stuff soon enough. In fact, the lawyer will be here in about an hour to explain everything."

I had to keep my hands from shaking. Legal stuff?

I inhaled sharply. Vanessa watched me, waiting for tears, begging, anger—something she could mock. I gave her none of it. Instead, I met her smug gaze and said, "Then I'll wait."

Vanessa's smile faltered for a second. Just a second. Then she shrugged. "Suit yourself."

I sank into the chair across from her, arms crossed, heart pounding. She smirked and went back to watching TV, acting like I was the one intruding.

Memories of my mother flooded back. Her last days, her last words, her last wish—to let Rick stay for a while. I had honored it, even when it hurt. But Rick had taken advantage of it. And now, staring at Vanessa, I realized something. Rick never planned on leaving.

And now, he thought I was the guest.

Rick returned about twenty minutes later, smug as ever. He barely looked at me before kissing Vanessa on the cheek and dropping onto the couch beside her.

"Well, guess she got the news," he said, nodding toward me.

Vanessa laughed. "Yeah, and she's taking it so well."

Rick stretched his arms over his head like this was just another lazy afternoon in his house. "Kid, don't make this harder than it has to be. We gave you plenty of time. Thought you'd be mature about this."

The doorbell rang. I stood. "That'll be the lawyer."

Rick frowned. "What?"

I walked past him, opened the door, and let the man in. He was older, dressed in a sharp suit, and carried a leather briefcase. He barely spared Rick a glance before pulling out a thick stack of papers.

"My name is Mr. Thompson," he said. "I was your mother's attorney." He turned to me. "You are the legal owner of this house. These documents confirm that."

Rick's smile vanished. "Wait, what?"

Mr. Thompson flipped through the paperwork, calm and methodical. "Your mother's will is very clear. This property, along with all assets, belongs solely to her daughter." He adjusted his glasses and looked directly at Rick. "You have no legal claim to this house."

Vanessa sat up. "That's not possible," she snapped. "Rick told me—" She turned to him, eyes narrowing. "You told me you owned this place."

Rick's face was pale now. "I—I mean, I thought—"

"You lied to me?" Vanessa shrieked.

Rick stammered, but she was already grabbing her purse.

"Oh, hell no," she hissed, standing. "You dragged me into this mess, and you don't even own the damn house?" She whirled on me, but there was no arrogance in her eyes anymore. Just embarrassment.

"I am so out of here," she muttered before stomping toward the door.

Rick scrambled after her. "Babe, wait—"

The door slammed.

For the first time all night, Rick looked nervous. He turned back to me. "Look, kid—"

I held up a hand. "Stop calling me 'kid.'"

He sighed, rubbing his face. "Okay, listen. We can work something out." He gestured around. "I've been living here for a year. That's gotta count for something."

Mr. Thompson adjusted his glasses. "Actually, it does. You've been unlawfully occupying this property without a lease agreement. If you do not vacate voluntarily, the owner has every right to press charges for trespassing."

Rick swallowed.

"Pressing charges?" I repeated, tilting my head. "That's an option?"

Rick's eyes widened. "Whoa, let's not get crazy."

There was a knock at the door. This time, I didn’t even have to move—Mr. Thompson did. He opened it, revealing two uniformed police officers.

"Sir," one of them said to Rick. "You have 24 hours to leave the premises."

Rick ran a hand through his hair, looking from the officers to me. “And where do you expect me to go?”

I shrugged. "Not my problem."

The officer stepped forward. "Sir, I suggest you start packing."

Rick didn't argue anymore.

That night, I sat in my room, listening to the sounds of drawers opening, boxes shifting, and bags being dragged across the floor. It had taken a full year to get here. A full year of watching Rick take over my home, acting like I was the one who didn't belong.

Not anymore.

I ran my fingers over my mother's picture. "I did it, Mom," I whispered.

Some people mistake kindness for weakness. But standing up for myself? That’s how I took my power back.