I stared at him, my jaw clenched.

He was doing this on purpose.

He knew that crowding the house with his noisy, messy family would make my life miserable.

He wanted to push me to the breaking point so I would agree to sell, or pack my bags and leave.

If I left, he would claim I abandoned the property.

I had to stay.

“I’m going upstairs,” I said aloud, my voice tight. “I’ve had a twelve-hour shift, and I need to wash my face.”

“Sure thing,” Pax said, already turning back toward the television. “We’re going to order some pizza. You want in?”

“No, thank you,” I said.

I grabbed my nurse’s bag and navigated the obstacle course of luggage in the hallway.

Nora was in the kitchen now, clinking pots and pans, searching through my cupboards.

I heard the screech of metal on metal as she dragged a heavy cast-iron skillet across the stove.

I closed my eyes for a brief second, forcing myself to keep walking.

I reached the bottom of the stairs and began to climb.