Julian tried to regain his composure, adjusting his robe with a nervous laugh that didn’t reach his eyes. “Look, Natalie, you’re taking things out of context. It was just a joke. Your mom likes staying busy around the house. It gives her purpose.”
“Shut your mouth,” I interrupted, pointing a finger directly at his chest, close enough that he took a small step back. “You have thirty minutes to pack your personal clothes and get out of my house.”
Kloe jumped up from the couch, her face twisting in anger. “You can’t just kick us out, Natalie. We’ve lived here for two years. This is our home. Mom let us stay here, so you have no legal right to kick us out on the spot.”
Julian smirked, stepping beside Kloe like they were a united front now, some kind of team facing down an unreasonable outsider. “She’s right. Texas property law protects established residents. You can’t just throw us out without a formal thirty-day eviction notice. So why don’t you calm down? Go check into a hotel and we can discuss this like adults tomorrow.”
