Chapter 2: The House They Couldn't Afford
The following morning, I walked downstairs at 6:30.
Megan was standing in the kitchen wearing a silk robe, staring at her phone while the coffee machine hissed.
"You're up early," she said.
"I've always been an early riser.""
She glanced at the counter.
"Could you make the kids' lunches before you start packing? I have a presentation this morning.""
I looked at the two lunchboxes beside the refrigerator.
For years, I'd prepared those lunches without being asked.
That morning, I simply poured myself a cup of coffee.
"I'm afraid I have some appointments.""
Megan lowered her phone.
"What appointments?""
"Personal ones.""
She frowned.
"Well, don't forget Ethan has soccer practice at four.""
"I won't forget.""
Todd entered the kitchen, already wearing his expensive blue suit.
"Morning, Mom.""
"Good morning.""
He opened the refrigerator.
"Where's breakfast?""
I looked at him.
"Perhaps you could make something.""
He turned around.
"What?""
"Breakfast. You're perfectly capable.""
Megan looked up sharply.
Todd laughed awkwardly.
"Okay. I guess the moving situation has made you a little sensitive.""
I didn't answer.
My phone vibrated.
Robert.
I picked it up.
"Good morning, Robert.""
"Judith, I've reviewed the Willow Creek property. It's still available. The previous buyers were unable to secure financing.""
I glanced at Todd.
He was spreading butter on toast.
"How much are they asking?""
"Four million two hundred thousand.""
"Any complications with the title?""
"Nothing unusual so far. We are conducting the standard review.""
"Good. Make an offer.""
Robert hesitated.
"How much?""
"Full asking price. Cash.""
I heard him exhale.
"All right. I'll prepare the paperwork.""
I ended the call.
Todd looked at me.
"Who was that?""
"An attorney.""
He chuckled.
"Since when do you need an attorney?""
"Since I decided to have one.""
Megan exchanged a look with him.
Then she turned back to her phone.
I finished my coffee and went upstairs.
At ten, Robert picked me up in a black sedan.
We drove through Scottsdale's most beautiful neighborhoods, past enormous houses surrounded by palm trees, stone walls, and carefully landscaped gardens.
The Willow Creek estate sat behind a wrought-iron gate.
<text color="secondary" size="xs" weight="medium">WILLOW CREEK LANE · SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA</text>
<AsyncImage query="luxury American craftsman estate Scottsdale Arizona stone exterior mature landscaping beautiful garden wrought iron gate" aspectRatio="16:9" width="100%"/>
The house was magnificent.
It had five bedrooms, a library, a sunroom, a swimming pool, and a sprawling backyard filled with mature trees.
But the garden was what caught my attention.
White roses climbed along a wooden trellis.
There was a stone pathway leading to a small fountain.
For a moment, I imagined George walking beside me, holding a cup of coffee.
"Oh, George," I whispered.
"You would have loved this place.""
Robert stood beside me.
"Would you like to see inside?""
I nodded.
The living room had enormous windows overlooking the garden. The kitchen was bright and spacious, with warm wooden cabinets and a long marble island.
There was even a small room that could become my sewing studio.
"I'll take it," I said.
Robert smiled.
"I thought you might.""
We reviewed the purchase documents at his office that afternoon.
The seller accepted the cash offer within hours.
My son and his wife had spent months trying to purchase this very property.
I knew because I'd heard them discussing it repeatedly.
One evening, Todd had shown Megan photographs on his laptop.
"Look at this backyard," he'd said.
"The kids could swim all summer.""
Megan had leaned over his shoulder.
"I want that kitchen. And the primary suite is incredible.""
They'd even discussed hosting their anniversary party there.
But their financing had fallen apart.
Todd had been furious.
"The bank wants more documentation," he'd complained.
Megan had thrown a cushion onto their sofa.
"How can they approve other people and not us?""
Now I owned the property.
And neither of them had the slightest idea.
By Thursday afternoon, the closing was complete.
Rosedale Holdings had paid the full $4.2 million in cash.
I received the confirmation from Robert while sitting in the garden of my new home.
I stared at the document for a long time.
Then I called my grandson.
"Hello, Grandma!"" Ethan answered.
"Hello, sweetheart. How was school?""
"Good. Mom says you're moving soon.""
"That's right.""
"Are you going somewhere nice?""
I looked at the white roses.
"Very nice.""
"Will we still see you?""
My throat tightened.
"Of course, sweetheart. You can always call me.""
He was quiet.
Then he asked, "Can I visit your new house?""
"Anytime you want.""
"Even if Dad says no?""
I closed my eyes.
"Especially if you miss me.""
After we hung up, I sat there for another few minutes.
I wasn't buying the house to punish my son.
At least, that's what I told myself.
I was buying it because I deserved a place where nobody treated my presence like an inconvenience.
That evening, I returned to Todd's house.
Megan was waiting in the kitchen.
"Judith, I need to talk to you.""
"Of course.""
She placed a printed document on the counter.
It was a list of things I needed to finish before moving.
"Please make sure you remove everything from the upstairs closet. And we'd like you to leave the guest bathroom spotless.""
I looked at the list.
Then at her.
"Anything else?""
She smiled.
"Just remember that we need our house back by Sunday.""
I nodded.
"Absolutely.""
Then Todd walked in, holding his phone.
"Mom, you'll never guess what happened.""
I raised an eyebrow.
"What happened?""
"Some investor bought the Willow Creek house. Cash. Full asking price.""
Megan immediately joined him.
"It's unbelievable. We were practically ready to make another offer.""
Todd shook his head.
"Some company called Rosedale Holdings. Never heard of them.""
My fingers tightened around the document.
I looked at my son.
"Rosedale Holdings?""
"Yeah. Why?""
I smiled.
"Interesting name.""
Megan rolled her eyes.
"Well, whoever they are, they just stole our dream house.""
I folded her list carefully.
"That's unfortunate, dear.""
Neither of them noticed my smile.
But the following morning, something happened that would change everything.
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My attorney called.
And this time, he wasn't calling about the house.
