Chapter 5 - The Eviction of the Parasites
The flashing red and blue lights of two unmarked FBI vehicles and a local police cruiser cast an eerie, rhythmic glow across the manicured lawn of our suburban home.
It was 2:30 AM.
The living room had transformed from a drunken fraternity party into a scene of utter, humiliating rout. Aunt Betsy, Uncle Gerald, and the remaining relatives were frantically grabbing their coats, purses, and overnight bags, tripping over each other as they scrambled out the front door under the stern watchful eye of two local police officers. They didn't look back; they didn't offer excuses. They simply fled like rats abandoning a sinking ship.
And Teresa?
Teresa sat on the edge of the living room sofa, her silk bathrobe rumpled, her face pale and streaked with mascara tears. Two federal agents stood on either side of her, waiting patiently for her to stand up so they could place her wrists in heavy steel zip-ties.
“Connor... please... just talk to me,” Teresa sobbed, looking up at her son with pathetic, desperate eyes as Connor stood by the entryway holding Frederick in his arms, while I stood quietly beside him. “I’m your mother! Think of the family! Think of what the neighbors will say when they see me dragged out in handcuffs!”
“The neighbors will see justice being served,” Connor replied, his voice devoid of pity. “You made your bed, Teresa. Now you get to spend the next few years explaining your legal brilliance to a federal magistrate.”
One of the agents gently pulled Teresa to her feet. “Ma’am, let’s go. Time to leave.”
As she was led past us toward the front door, Teresa shot me one final, venomous glare—a look of pure, unadulterated hatred that proved she felt zero remorse for what she had done.
“You ruined everything, you ungrateful little witch,” she hissed under her breath as she passed me. “He’ll never truly love you like he loved me!”
I didn't flinch. I didn't yell back. I simply looked down at her with calm, unshakeable pity.
“She didn't ruin anything, Teresa,” I said softly. “She just opened the door.”
The front door clicked shut, sealing behind her as the federal agents escorted her down the steps and into the back of an unmarked cruiser.
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The red and blue lights flashed once more against the living room wall, and then, slowly, faded into the quiet darkness of the night.
The house was finally, beautifully silent.
