You're Under OUR Roof Now!

Laney Grey and Chloe Surreal lounge on the couch when Mellanie Monroe, their stepmother, appears in the doorway with her decision ready. 'Both of you are eighteen. Time to pack.' The words hit like a dropped blade. 'What the hell? This house is mine,' Laney snaps. Chloe backs her. 'Yeah—Laney's name is on the deed. She inherited it when Dad died.' Mellanie blinks once, twice, certainty draining from her face as the lie unravels. Laney smiles slow and sharp. 'Guess who’s running this place now.' Chloe adds, 'She’s not running it alone, either. Best stepsister ever gets co-commander.' Mellanie begins her scramble. The vanity lights reflect off cheap compliments as she inches closer. Laney tilts her head. 'Funny how fast you want us gone. Maybe you’re the one who should leave.' Another attempt at flattery; Chloe cuts through it. 'You treat us like luggage most days. Now you’re all sugar? Too late.' 'From now on,' Laney says, watching her squirm, 'you play nice.' Mellanie nods. The silence that follows thickens—then Laney nods back at Chloe, their smirks sharpening. They roll the price aloud like poker chips. After a pause that lasts a heartbeat too long, they make it plain: they want Mellanie, body and all, right now. The woman freezes. Nothing in her rehearsed lines covers this. Still she swallows, voice thin. 'Okay… okay. A family that stays together stays together, right?' Her hands shake, but the door clicks shut behind her as the three of them head upstairs.