I stared at the message, a slow, dark satisfaction settling in my chest. I typed out my reply with deliberate care.Me: Oh. I thought I wasn’t supposed to come back.

And then, my phone exploded. It vibrated violently against the coffee table, a wild animal thrashing in a cage. Messages poured in from my parents, and even, predictably, from Zach. I let it buzz, imagining their panic. Mom, furious and accusatory. Dad, attempting to sound reasonable before his frustration boiled over. And Zach, preparing his signature guilt trip.

Curiosity finally won.Mom: WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? The bank just called. Are you really this cruel?Dad: Evan, this is serious. We could lose the house. Call me now.Mom: I can’t believe you’re doing this out of spite. We raised you! This is how you repay us?Zach: Dude. You know they don’t have the money. Are you really going to let them lose the house just to prove a point?