Love and Devotion No Longer His to Claim by Dream Fish

Chapter 5

Angela had just gotten out of the car and steadied herself when the black Cullinan drove off without any hesitation, leaving her in a cloud of dust.

She stood there in a daze for a moment before letting out a self-deprecating laugh and thought, "That's right. He's always been like this."

But before she had time to dwell on her misery, her phone rang urgently. Angela took out her phone and saw that it was an unknown number.

"Hello, is this Ms. Graham? I'm the property manager for Villa Heights. I'm calling to confirm if your property has been sold."

"Why do you ask?" Angela's heart skipped a beat.

Over the years, she had managed the property, so the contact information listed was hers.

However, when Marie had passed away, she had been too young. So, Bill had put all of Marie's assets under his name.

When Angela had been young, he had used to say to her, "When you grow up and find your Prince Charming, I'll turn this house into a castle for you both to live in happily ever after!"

But in just a few years, everything had completely changed for the Graham family. Angela sometimes wondered if Bill was still the same father who used to love her mother dearly and cherish her.

Whenever Bill hadn't been home, Judy hadn't allowed Angela to eat at the table. She had come up with the excuse that girls needed to stay in shape and had made Angela go hungry several times a day.

Apart from her outerwear, her clothes had always been too short. The freezing winter wind would seep right into her sleeves and chill her to the core.

Angela had developed arthritis at a young age, yet Judy had always complained to Bill, saying, "I don't know what else to do! I pamper her, but she's never satisfied. She's always complaining of feeling pain here and there. Anyone who didn't know better would think I'm mistreating her!"

Upon hearing that, Bill had responded furiously, "Can't you let us have some peace, Angela?"

from Bill had landed

she clenched her fists tightly. It seemed

needed to secure her mother's house no matter

on the other end snapped her back to the present. "The moving company is

a surge of panic. Hadn't they agreed to give her more time? Why should she

hung up and quickly hailed a cab back to her

The place was filled with unfamiliar men in gaudy clothing. The furniture was overturned. The photos of her and Marie were

fat, middle-aged man with a bald head stepped squarely on Marie's face

you permission to come in?" Angela shouted

I can come and go as I please. And who might you be,

pointing toward the door.

man guffawed as he said, "Did you all

around him joined in, egging

did you get a wife, Tony? She's fighting you over

she's pretty, but we've never

to

fat man, Tony Koch,

lewd grin. Laughing raucously, he offered, "Come on, pretty lady. Give me a smile! Tell me which room you like. I'll let you

silently estimated when the police would arrive after she had

even more excited when he saw her retreat. "Hey, don't back

heard the screech of car brakes outside. She smiled slightly and

unable to believe that this delicate-looking woman had dared

snarled, grabbing a wooden frame from the floor and hurling it

Angela quickly dodged.

moment, the property manager arrived and said loudly, "Sir, miss, please calm down. The police are at the gate.

hearing the property manager's words, Tony hesitated. However, the mocking looks from the