Chapter 2: The House Was Never His
Nia read the document twice.
Then a third time.
The words didn't change.
She sat on the edge of the bed, the paper trembling between her fingers.
*NOTICE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP TRANSFER*
Her eyes moved down the page.
The property address was correct.
The same house.
The same living room where she had just been struck.
The same kitchen where she had cooked anniversary dinners.
The same bedroom where she had cried silently into her pillow.
The same house she had spent seven years helping pay for.
But beneath the property description was a name she had never seen connected to it.
*Denise Carter.*
Nia's breath caught.
“No.””
She whispered it to herself.
“No, no, no.””
Outside the bedroom, Darius shouted.
“Where does she think she's going?””
Denise answered.
“Let her leave.””
Malik said something Nia couldn't hear.
Then footsteps approached the bedroom.
Nia folded the paper quickly.
The doorknob moved.
She locked it.
“Nia.””
Darius's voice.
She didn't answer.
“Nia, open the door.””
She backed away.
“I need my things.””
“You're not taking anything.””
Her hand tightened around the paper.
“Why?””
“Because this is my house.””
Nia stared at the door.
Something about that sentence sounded different now.
“My house,” he repeated.
Nia looked at the letter.
Then at the bedroom.
Then at the wedding photograph sitting on her nightstand.
She walked toward the door but didn't unlock it.
“You said my name was on the mortgage.””
Silence.
That silence lasted only two seconds.
But it told her more than any confession could have.
Darius finally said, “Who told you that?””
Nia's stomach dropped.
“You did.””
“Open the door.””
“No.””
“Nia.””
“No.””
The handle rattled.
She stepped backward.
Then Denise's voice floated from the hallway.
“Darius, stop.””
He turned.
“Mom—”
“Don't make this worse.””
Nia heard footsteps moving away.
Then Denise spoke again.
“You need to tell her.””
Darius answered quietly.
“Not tonight.””
Nia froze.
Tell her what?
Her mind raced.
She looked back at the letter.
There was a phone number at the bottom.
She pulled out her phone and took photographs of every page.
Then she sent them to Tasha.
*Nia: I found this under the door.*
Tasha responded almost immediately.
*Tasha: Don't sign anything.*
Nia frowned.
*Nia: I wasn't going to.*
*Tasha: I'm serious. Don't sign anything they give you.*
A knock sounded.
Not Darius.
Denise.
“Nia?””
Nia didn't respond.
“I know you're scared.””
Nia stared at the door.
“No, you don't.””
Denise sighed.
“I know what you think happened tonight.””
Nia's laugh was bitter.
“You watched it happen.””
“I know.””
“And you laughed.””
Another silence.
Then Denise said something that made Nia's skin prickle.
“I laughed because I thought it was the last thing I'd ever have to do.””
Nia stepped closer.
“What does that mean?””
No answer.
“Denise?””
Footsteps retreated.
Nia opened the door a crack.
The hallway was empty.
She stepped out.
The living room looked like a storm had passed through it.
One cup was shattered near the overturned table.
The other sat beneath the sofa.
The belt was lying on the rug.
Darius was nowhere in sight.
Malik stood near the kitchen counter.
He looked at her.
For once, there was no amusement on his face.
“Nia,” he said.
“What?””
He rubbed his palms together.
“You should probably just leave.””
“I plan to.””
“I mean tonight.””
“I know.””
He glanced toward the hallway.
“You don't understand what you're dealing with.””
Nia's eyes narrowed.
“Then explain it.””
Malik shook his head.
“I can't.””
“You were sitting right there when he hit me.””
“I know.””
“You laughed.””
“I know.””
“And now you're warning me?””
Malik swallowed.
“Because I don't want somebody getting hurt.””
Nia looked around.
“Somebody?””
His eyes dropped.
“Forget it.””
She stepped toward him.
“No. You don't get to say something like that and walk away.””
Malik lowered his voice.
“Your name isn't on the mortgage.””
Nia stopped.
“I know.””
He looked surprised.
“You found the letter?””
“Yes.””
His face changed.
“Where?””
“Under my bedroom door.””
Malik stared toward the hallway.
“Then he knows you found it.””
Nia's pulse quickened.
“Who?””
“Darius.””
“What does he know?””
Malik didn't answer.
Nia moved closer.
“Malik.””
He sighed.
“You think tonight was about the argument.””
“Wasn't it?””
“No.””
“What was it about?””
He looked at her for a long moment.
Then he said, “The house.””
Nia's throat tightened.
“What about it?””
Malik glanced toward the stairs.
“My mom bought it before you married Darius.””
“I know she helped with the down payment.””
“No.””
His voice was barely audible.
“She bought the whole thing.””
Nia stared at him.
“That can't be right.””
“She put it in a trust.””
Nia looked down at the letter.
“Why?””
Malik hesitated.
“Because she didn't trust Darius.””
Nia's heart began pounding.
“Then why did I receive a letter saying ownership was transferred?””
Malik's face went pale.
“I don't know.””
“You're lying.””
“I'm not.””
“You know something.””
“I know enough to tell you that you should get out.””
Nia's phone buzzed.
Tasha.
*Tasha: I'm outside.*
Relief washed through Nia.
She grabbed her bag.
As she walked toward the front door, Malik followed.
“Nia.””
She turned.
“What?””
He looked like he wanted to say something.
Instead, he whispered, “Check the attic.””
She frowned.
“What?””
“The attic.””
“Why?””
Before he could answer, the front door opened.
Tasha stood outside.
She took one look at Nia.
Then her eyes moved to the overturned table.
The broken cup.
The belt.
Her face hardened.
“Oh, hell no.””
She stepped inside.
“Where is he?””
Nia shook her head.
“I don't know.””
Tasha grabbed her hand.
“Come on.””
They walked toward the door.
Then a voice came from upstairs.
Darius.
“Leaving already?””
Nia stopped.
Tasha stepped in front of her.
Darius appeared at the top of the stairs.
His cheek was red where Nia had hit him.
He held something in his hand.
A thick manila folder.
He smiled.
“You really should have read the fine print before you decided to play lawyer.””
Tasha's eyes narrowed.
“What did you do to my sister?””
Darius ignored her.
He looked only at Nia.
“You want the truth about this house?””
Nia said nothing.
He tapped the folder against his palm.
“Then ask your mother.””
Nia's blood ran cold.
“My mother?””
Darius smiled.
“Yeah.””
May you like
He lifted the folder.
“Because she's the reason this house was never really yours.””