My Family Broke In With Baseball Bats When I Refused to Sell My House to Pay Their $150K Debt…

Andrew got angry.

“You have no idea what kind of pressure we’re under.”

he said.

“You’re right, I don’t. But I noticed two very expensive cars in the driveway. Maybe start by selling those and paying off some of the debt.”

I said.

“We need those cars for work,”

Melissa snapped.

“You need them more than you need to be safe from dangerous creditors?”

I asked.

The circular logic was making my head spin. They were asking me to destroy my financial security to fix problems they had created while refusing to make any sacrifices themselves.,

Mom got right in my face.

“This house you bought… if you sold it, you could pay off Melissa’s debts and still have money left over for a nice apartment.”

she said.

“A nice apartment?”

I was getting really angry now.

“Mom, I worked my ass off for that house. I saved every penny for years. I lived like a monk so I could afford it. I’m not selling it to fix Melissa’s mess.”

I said.

“She’s your sister,”

Dad said.

“She’s also a grown woman who made her own choices—bad choices, apparently.”

I said.

Melissa jumped up from the couch.

“You’re supposed to help me! You’re supposed to care about what happens to me!”

she screamed.

“Where was this family loyalty five years ago when you all told me to get lost?”

I asked.

“That was different,”

Mom said.

“How was it different? You didn’t want to help me keep my money then, and I don’t want to help you with your money problems now.”

I said.

The room went quiet. Everyone was staring at me like I was the unreasonable one, like I was the villain in their twisted family drama.,

“I’m not doing this,”

I said finally.

“Melissa got herself into this mess and she can get herself out. If you want to help her so badly, sell your house and give her the money.”

I said.

Mom gasped like I’d slapped her.

“This is the only house we have. We’re old, Vivian. We can’t just start over like you can.”

she said.

“Then I guess you understand exactly how I feel about my house.”

I said.

I started walking toward the door. Melissa called after me.

“You’re making a huge mistake! These people don’t mess around!”

she shouted.

“Neither do I,”

I turned back to look at her and said.

The Breaking Point and the Bats

I left them all sitting there and drove home feeling lighter than I had in years. As soon as I got back to my house I blocked Mom’s email address.

I was done with their drama forever. For about a week things were peaceful.

Sebastian called every day, supportive and understanding as always.

“You did the right thing,”

he kept saying.

“They can’t just show up after five years and demand you fix their problems.”

he said.

I was actually feeling pretty good about my decision. Sure, I felt bad that Melissa was in trouble, but that wasn’t my fault or my responsibility.,

I had my own life to worry about. Then Tuesday morning happened and everything changed in ways I never could have predicted.

I was in my kitchen making coffee, looking forward to a productive workday, when I heard a car door slam outside.

I looked out the window and nearly dropped my mug. Mom and Dad were walking up my driveway like they owned the place.

“What are you doing here?”

I asked when I opened the door.

“How did you even get my address?”

I asked.

Mom looked proud of herself.

“Melissa hired a private investigator.”

she said.

“A private investigator? Are you serious right now?”

I asked.

Dad was looking around at my house with calculating eyes. I could practically see the dollar signs spinning in his head.

“This is a nice place,”

he said.

“Get off my property,”

I said.

But Mom pushed past me and walked right into my house like she had every right to be there. Dad followed her.

I was so shocked by their audacity that I just stood there for a second.,

“Don’t make yourselves comfortable,”

I said.

“You’re not staying.”

I said.

Mom was walking around my living room, touching things and examining everything like she was conducting a real estate appraisal.

“If you sold this house, you could easily pay off Melissa’s debt and still have plenty left over for a smaller place. Maybe a nice apartment.”

she said.

“I already told you I’m not selling my house.”

I said.

“But look at all the space,”

Dad said, spreading his arms out.

“It’s just you living here. You don’t need all this room.”

he said.

“What I need is none of your business.”

I said.

Mom turned to me with tears in her eyes again.

“Melissa is really scared, Vivian. These men called her yesterday. They know where she and Andrew are staying now.”

she said.

“They said if they don’t get their money by the end of the month, something bad is going to happen.”

she said.

“Then maybe Melissa should go to the police.”

I said.

“The police can’t help with this,”

Dad said.

“These aren’t the kind of people who care about restraining orders.”

he said.

I was getting more frustrated by the second.

“That’s still not my problem. You both need to leave now.”

I said.,

“We’re not leaving until you agree to help your sister,”

Mom said, crossing her arms like a stubborn child.

“Then I’m calling the police.”

I said.

I pulled out my phone and started dialing. Dad grabbed my arm.

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

he said.

“Let go of me.”

I shook him off.