“I believe you.”
She paused.
“Please contact the valuation company. They should preserve the original assignment and client instructions.”
“I will.”
She left.
Adrian watched the elevator close.
Then turned toward me.
“You ruined everything.”
I stared.
“Everything?”
His face was pale.
He looked suddenly older.
And when he spoke again, I finally heard the fear beneath his anger.
“You don’t understand how much money is riding on this.”
***
I spent that night in a hotel.
Not because Adrian had the right to order me out.
Because the police had explained that the immediate occupancy dispute couldn’t safely be settled by force in the hallway, and I refused to risk a confrontation.
With an officer present, I collected my laptop bag, necessary medication, identification, and the photograph of my grandparents.
The remainder of my belongings were documented.
I took pictures of everything.
The suitcase leaning against the elevator wall.
My clothes scattered near the service entrance.
