At dawn, the system shut down.
The doors opened.
They stumbled onto the lawn soaked, shaken, and stripped of every bit of arrogance.
My phone rang immediately.
Victor’s voice was hoarse.
I answered calmly.
“Sorry, Dad. Must be a glitch in the anti-theft system. Next time, don’t break into someone else’s home.”
Then I hung up.
PART 4: Their Final Threat
The next night, Victor and Melissa came to my apartment.
They looked exhausted and furious.
Victor pointed a trembling finger at me.
“I’ll accuse you of abusing your own family. I’ll destroy your military honor. You’ll lose your rank.”
Melissa stepped forward.
“Transfer the villa to us now, or we cut ties forever.”
They still believed disgrace would scare me.
They still thought I was the woman who would do anything for peace.
I crossed my arms.
“Are you done with this circus?”
They froze.
“Go ahead and sue,” I said. “But first, you’ll have to prove you own the property.”
Then I closed the door in their faces.
The next morning, we met at the notary office of William Hayes, a former military intelligence officer. Victor, Sandra, Melissa, and Derek entered as if they had come to accept my surrender.
Victor slammed his hand on the table.
“Sign the transfer papers, or the complaint goes to your commanding officer today.”
I sat across from him in dress uniform and drank my tea.
William placed a sealed file on the table.
“Commander Hale cannot transfer the villa,” he said, “because she no longer owns it.”
The room went silent.
Victor stared at him.
“What does that mean?”
I leaned forward.