Chapter 11

Miles and his aunt remained at each other's throats, neither one willing to back down, and the tension between them was growing exponentially.

The neighbors were still watching, whispering among themselves. Some stood by their doorsteps, while others leaned against fences or peeked through windows.

His aunt, however, while noticing the growing audience, didn't seem to care about their presence. She was completely blinded by her anger, and one would think she was under the influence just from now she was acting.

"You think you can just come back here and act like you own the place?" she screamed out. "You've been gone all day, doing God knows what, and now you waltz in with a fancy car like you're some kind of big shot?"

Miles didn't respond immediately. Instead, he slowly reached into his pocket, and pulled out a neatly folded envelope. His aunt's eyes instinctively shifted to it, and she closed them slightly in suspicion.

"What's that?" she quickly asked.

Miles opened the envelope, and pulled out a thick stack of cash. The crowd murmured as he did this, and his aunt's rage seemed to quell for a split second.

"Two thousand dollars," he said calmly.

Her eyes shifted quickly between the money and back to his face.

"What kind of game are you trying to play?" she said, though her voice had lost some of its bite, as the sight of the money had activated a part of her greed.

"No game." Miles took a step closer to her, lowering his voice just enough so that only she could hear him. "This is what I'm willing to give you…to disappear. Leave us alone. Move out. Forget we exist."

His aunt flinched as if she was just slapped in the face. Then, almost instantly, she laughed, but it was clearly forced.

"Did you really think I'd just get up and leave for two grand?" she spat. "Do you know how much I owe for rent? Do you have any idea the kind of mess I'm in?"

Miles tilted his head slightly. "I do, actually."

She froze, clearly taken aback by his words.

"I know you're behind on rent," he continued. "I know you've been dodging the landlord for months. I know about the drinking, the gambling. I know about the men you bring into the house."

The murmurs among the crowd grew louder. Some of the neighbors exchanged looks of confirmation. A few even whispered to each other, nodding in agreement.

His aunt's face quickly went pale as she heard this, but she quickly masked it with anger. "That's none of your damn business," she snapped back.

Miles shrugged. "Maybe not. But it'll be the landlord's business once I tell him that I'm willing to pay off your debts, under one condition."

Her mouth opened, but no words came out.

"I give him the money," Miles said, holding up the envelope slightly. "And in return, he evicts you. No negotiations. No second chances."

Her eyes widened, her range boiled over, and now seemed to switch to panic. She clenched her fists, looking like she wanted to hit him. But she didn't. She couldn't. Not in front of everyone.

"You wouldn't," she hissed.

"I would." Miles responded.

Charlie, still clutching his PS5, shifted closer to Miles. His small hands held onto his brother's sleeve tightly, but he didn't say a word. He was watching, listening, absorbing everything.

Miles took another step forward, lowering his voice to a whisper once again. "Or… you can take this." He pushed the envelope toward her. "I'll even add a little extra. Enough for you to get a fresh start somewhere else."

His aunt's breathing was shaky and her hands trembled slightly next to her..

Miles could see the internal battle waging inside her. The anger, the pride, the desperation.

Then, she laughed again, but this time it was short, bitter. "You think money solves everything?"

"No," Miles admitted. "But it solves this."

She sucked in a deep breath, looking away.

Miles had never seen her hesitate before. She was always quick to react, always sharp-tongued and cruel. But now, in this moment, she was exposed. Vulnerable.

And she knew it.

The neighbors continued watching, but the murmurs had died down. It was as if they, too, were waiting for her answer.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she reached out. Her fingers trembled slightly as she took the envelope from his hand.

Miles exhaled slowly.

His aunt stared at the money for a long time before looking back at him. "If I take this…" she started.

"You disappear," Miles finished for her. "For good."

She clenched her jaw. Then, with a nod, she turned around and stormed back into the house.

The tension in the air finally settled. The neighbors started whispering again, some shaking their heads, others looking almost impressed.

Charlie's grip on Miles' arm tightened for a second before he finally let out a breath of relief.

And for the first time in a long time, Miles felt it, too. Relief.

****

The house was quiet now.

Miles sat on the couch, arms crossed, while Charlie sat next to him. From the other room, they could hear their aunt packing.

The sounds of her drawers slamming, clothes being shoved into bags, the occasional frustrated sigh—it was all happening so fast.

She wasn't leaving because she wanted to. She was leaving because she had no choice.

Charlie shifted. "She's really going?"

Miles nodded. "Yeah."

The noise from her room stopped. A moment later, her door creaked open, and she walked past them without a word. No yelling. No last insult. She didn't even look at them.

The front door opened and she hesitated—just for a second—but then she stepped outside and shut it behind her.

It was over.

Charlie leaned against Miles, resting his head on his shoulder. Neither of them spoke.

For the first time in years, the house finally felt like home.

Miles exhaled. Then, the familiar chime of the System rang in his head.

[Ding!]

[Congratulations on your Reward! Host has received 1000 EXP for completing a mission.]

[+1000 EXP Earned.]

Miles blinked.

'Wait… wasn't that enough EXP for me to—'

[Level Up!]