I came home a day early, craving the comfort of my own bed—only to find strangers wandering through my living room as if it were theirs. The realtor smiled, saying my husband had listed the house. And among the buyers stood a young woman I’d seen him with before.
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I came home a day earlier than planned.
My best friend, Ellen, had begged me to stay another night at her place, but my bones ached for my own bed, my own walls.
I dragged my suitcase up the porch steps, humming to myself.
When I pushed the front door open, I froze.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Amomama
My living room was full of strangers.
A couple stood near the fireplace, pointing at the mantle like it belonged to them.
A woman leaned against the wall, whispering into the ear of a man I’d never seen before.
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In the center of it all stood a realtor in a crisp blue suit, her voice cheerful and professional.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Amomama
“This home has such charm,” she said brightly.
She lifted a manicured hand toward the ceiling.
“Original wood floors, well cared for.”
The air left my lungs. My heart pounded so hard I could feel it in my throat.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Amomama
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I stepped inside, my suitcase bumping the floor behind me.
“Excuse me,” I said, my voice louder than I expected. “What are you doing in my house?”
The room fell silent. The strangers turned to stare at me.
The realtor didn’t flinch. She looked at me like I was the one who didn’t belong.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Amomama
“Are you Megan?” she asked smoothly.
“Yes,” I managed.
“Your husband, Tom, gave us permission to show the house,” she explained. “It’s on the market.”
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Her words slammed into me. Market? For sale? My chest burned.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Amomama
“This is my home,” I said firmly. “No one told me a thing about selling it.”
The realtor’s smile didn’t break. She had the calm face of someone used to arguments.
“I understand it feels sudden. But Tom said you agreed. He assured us everything was in order.”
I opened my mouth to shout, to tell them to get out, when I heard a name — one of the interested buyers. Crystal.