Love and Devotion No Longer His to Claim (Angela and Dexter) novel 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?"

The first slap she had ever received from Bill had landed on her cheek at that moment.

Later on, he had even sacrificed her for his own selfish desires by sending her to Dexter's bed.

Angela hated herself for spending three years trying to win Dexter's love and failing ultimately.

Frustrated, she clenched her fists tightly. It seemed she couldn't rely on anyone. She would have to reclaim what was rightfully hers on her own. However, she knew she couldn't rush things—she had to take it step by step.

First, she needed to secure her mother's house no matter what.

The property manager's voice on the other end snapped her back to the present. "The moving company is clearing out the house, saying it has a new owner."

Angela was stunned and felt a surge of panic. Hadn't they agreed to give her more time? Why should she bear the consequences of her good-for-nothing stepbrother's actions?

"I'm coming over right now!" She hung up and quickly hailed a cab back to her home.

But when she arrived, the house was barely recognizable. The place was filled with unfamiliar men in gaudy clothing. The furniture was overturned. The photos of her and Marie were carelessly tossed on the floor.

A fat, middle-aged man with a bald head stepped squarely on Marie's face in one of the pictures.

"Stop! Who gave you permission to come in?" Angela shouted angrily.

The man turned around, grinning sleazily when he saw her. "The house is mine! I can come and go as I please. And who might you be, little lady?"

Angela looked at the fat man in front of her in disgust, pointing toward the door. "This house is mine! I'm asking you to leave immediately!"

The man guffawed as he said, "Did you all hear that? She says the house is hers!"

The men around him joined in, egging him on.