My mother whispered a name I’d never heard before.

“Celeste.”

I demanded an explanation.

Neither parent answered.

That mystery was referred for further investigation, but I couldn’t allow it to distract me from what was already happening inside my home.

I looked toward the senior agent.

“I want everyone removed from my apartment.”

He nodded.

Paige immediately started protesting.

“You’re really throwing out your own sister?”

“You entered my home without permission.”

“Mom said you’d understand!”

“I told all of you no.”

My father stepped forward.

“We are family, Marissa. That should mean something.”

“It does. But it doesn’t mean you own my property.”

My mother accused me of humiliating Paige.

I reminded her that Paige had attempted to force open my private office.

She’d even encouraged Tyler to help her investigate the locked door.

That detail bothered me more than the damaged wood and metal.