Mia’s handwriting.

If you’re going to throw me out, I’m taking what’s mine. Consider this payback for all the times you made me feel like a burden.

I read it twice.

Then a third time.

None of those things belonged to her.

I had paid for every piece.

I called immediately.

“Where is my furniture?”

Mia sounded almost cheerful.

“Relax. It’s safe.”

“You took it?”

“I moved it into storage.”

“That’s my property.”

“That couch was basically mine. I used it more than you.”

I stared at the empty room.

“That’s not how ownership works.”

She laughed.

“You actually think I stole from you?”

“Yes.”

“Whatever. At least now I have something to start over with.”

“Bring everything back.”

“No.”

She hung up.

Karen arrived around noon.

Instead of being horrified, she defended Mia.

“She took a few things she helped pick out.”