My father blocked me from walking into my own law school graduation because my stepmother insisted her daughter needed my exclusive pass. "You're just a glorified filing clerk anyway, let your sister have the spotlight," my father scoffed, shoving me back toward the courtyard.

I didn't go back to the house that night. I checked into a luxury suite paid for by the fellowship, ordered room service, and slept for fourteen hours.

When I finally arrived at my father's house on Sunday afternoon, there was a moving truck parked in the driveway. I had hired a premium packing service. Four burly movers were already inside, boxing up my small, cramped room.

My stepmother was waiting in the hallway, arms crossed, her face tight with a mixture of fury and fear.

"You're actually leaving?" she snapped. "Just like that? You're going to abandon your family now that you've got a little money?"

"I'm not abandoning my family," I said calmly, signing the clipboard the head mover handed me. "I'm leaving a toxic environment. There's a difference."

Chloe burst out of her room, her makeup smeared. "Maya! You have to fix this! A clip of your speech went viral on TikTok. Someone matched your description of the 'filing clerk' to my vlog where Dad was yelling at you in the background this morning! I'm losing followers by the second! Brands are dropping my sponsorships!"

"Sounds like a breach of contract issue," I replied, not looking up from the inventory list. "You should probably hire a lawyer. Though, my hourly rate is $800, and I require a retainer."

My father emerged from his study. He looked as though he had aged ten years overnight.

"Maya, wait. We need to talk about the house," Richard said, his voice shaking. "You mentioned your mother's trust. If you force a sale, we'll be bankrupt. My firm is already bleeding clients after Harrison Ford made comments at the country club yesterday."

"I don't want to force a sale, Richard," I said, turning to face him. "I want to be bought out. Fair market value. You have thirty days to secure a loan and transfer my half of the equity into my accounts, or I will file a partition action and the court will auction it off."