Simple.
Direct.
Evelyn smiled as though my answer proved her point.
“Of course you are, honey,” she said gently. “We all just want what’s best for you.”
Concern used as control.
I took a sparkling water from the table.
No alcohol.
I wanted a clear head.
As I moved around the yard, I listened.
Richard mentioned I might need time.
Combat zones changed people.
Every comment carefully framed.
By the time I told anyone the truth, they wanted everyone prepared to question it.
Smart.
Almost impressive.
I stopped near the grill.
Vance looked up.
“Hey Harper,” he said like we were old friends. “Good to see you back.”
“Lieutenant.”
His smile twitched.
Rank mattered to men like him.
“How is overseas?” he asked.
“Hot,” I said.
He laughed too loudly.
“Yeah, I bet. Nothing like being back home though, right?”
I looked directly at him.
“Depends on the home.”
His smile remained, but his eyes changed.
Chloe moved beside him and slipped her arm through his.
“We made your room really nice,” she said. “I think you’ll like the basement once it’s finished.”
Once it was finished.
They already had future plans for my house.
I took another drink without answering.
Across the yard, Richard watched me.
He nodded toward the side of the house.
Private conversation.
Of course.
I followed him.
“You need to handle something tomorrow,” he said immediately.
No greeting.
Just an order.
“What kind of something?”
“A transfer,” he said. “Paperwork. Simple.”
I already knew where this was going.
“Transfer of what?”
“The house.”
There it was.
“Chloe needs stability,” he continued. “You’re not here enough to justify holding on to a property like this.”
Holding on to.
Interesting.
“I’m here now,” I said.
He ignored that.
“You’ll go down to the office tomorrow,” he said. “Sign the documents. Make it official.”
Not a request.
“And if I don’t?”
His tone shifted.
“I still have connections,” he said. “People who remember what I’ve done, who I’ve helped.”
The old colonel emerged.
“You’re up for major soon,” he added. “It would be a shame if something complicated that process.”
I looked at him carefully.
This wasn’t family.
It was leverage.
Pressure.
Control.
Same tactics.
Different battlefield.
He still thought he was in command.
I let the silence sit.
Then I smiled.
“I’ll make sure the paperwork is handled exactly as it should be, Dad.”
