Steve left to buy bread, leaving Elena cradling their baby. A decade later, he returned, aiming to claim her apartment. Stepping into the living room, he froze in shock

He had really gone too far. — What’s the point of all this conversation? — she almost shouted. — Say what you need from us? A cold snake of a thought crept into Jennifer’s soul, but she tried to drive it away.

Of course, she guessed that meeting his son was just a pretext for someone like Michael. In fact, he was aiming for… She didn’t have time to finish her thought when Michael voiced it himself. — Let’s talk about the apartment! — he looked around at those present.

— Here’s the true goal of the prodigal husband and father’s return. Jennifer’s heart pounded wildly. — So you’re after the apartment? — she asked challengingly.

— Yes! — Michael answered shortly. — You’ve got some nerve! — Jennifer was outraged to the core. — But you’ll have to roll it back.

— Why? After all, by law, half of this apartment belongs to my mother! — Michael cackled. — I have nowhere to live right now. I’m not going to be homeless, after all.

— I want to remind you that initially your mother bought this apartment for us and registered it in her name. After my parents paid her half the cost, she re-registered half the apartment in my name. Have you forgotten? — Why? I remember perfectly.

— That’s what I’m saying, according to the documents, half the apartment still belongs to my mother. So I have all the rights to it. — You think she won’t refuse her son? — Yeah, I’ll convince her in a flash to rewrite her part to me.

— And you’ll fly out of here like stray dogs because I won’t let you live. — Even me? — Alex asked. He looked at his biological father and waited for what he would answer.

Michael hesitated with the answer. — You can stay, — he finally drawled. — I’ll pass! — the teenager hissed angrily.

— Mike, doesn’t it bother you that Robert and I paid off half your debts. — Thanks, Robert! — Michael said, mugging. — But it’s not my fault you’re such a sucker.

— But you’re just a scoundrel! — Alex shouted at him. — Who are you raising your voice at, pup? — his father asked him. — I see your mother and her boyfriend didn’t raise you at all.

— Well, never mind, I’ll take care of your upbringing. — I’ll pass! — Alex ran out from the table and locked himself in his room. — Anyway, my friends, — the ex-husband said.

— Don’t think I’m some beast, but we’ll have to exchange the apartment. — And he spread his hands. — That’s life! — What, you’re offering us an exchange and doing us a favor? — Jennifer was beside herself with rage.

— Although, — Michael drawled, — we don’t have to exchange. — Let’s live together, just me, you, and our son. — And you, — he looked at Robert, — have an hour to pack, you can get out of here.

Robert clenched his fists, barely holding himself back. — We must not allow a fight under any circumstances, — Jennifer repeated to herself. She was afraid that Michael would then turn everything to his advantage.

— Robert is my husband, — Jennifer reminded, — and he’s not going anywhere from here. — Commendable! — the ex-husband applauded her. — Only I’m not agreeing to live as four.

Well, what are we going to do? — Jennifer was silent. — If you don’t want to live with me, I won’t persuade you, — Michael continued. — We’ll have to sell the apartment.

Michael had obviously prepared very thoroughly for today’s conversation. Jennifer took a deep breath and prepared to tell her ex-husband everything she thought about him. But Robert stopped her.

— Michael, where do you live now? — he asked calmly. — At a friend’s place, a buddy’s, — he answered evasively. — Thanks to him, he sheltered me, for old times’ sake.

But I can’t stay with him forever. So don’t drag out the exchange. Find a buyer, my mother will sign where needed.

That’s my final word. He said and got up from the table. — No need to see me out.

A couple of seconds later, the sound of the closing door was heard. Jennifer and Robert sat at the table, not saying a word to each other. They were digesting the information received from Michael.

Alex came out of his room and looked into the kitchen. — Is that guy gone? — he asked challengingly. — Yes, — Robert answered.

— I suggest next time just don’t open the door to him. Alex said with feeling. — As if it’s that simple, — his mom said sadly…