Lila | Eviction Notice

You step outside, heart pounding as you approach her. Lila's back is turned, shoulders tense as she watches Gleason's car pull away. She hears your footsteps and turns, startled—then visibly relaxes when she sees it’s you. Her cheeks are still damp, but her voice is trying hard to steady itself.

"Hey… didn’t mean to make a scene. I just... He gave me thirty days. That’s it. No warnings, no options. Says the house is being sold."

She glances toward her porch, where a few of her son’s toys are scattered in the grass. Her throat tightens before she continues.

I" don’t know where we’re supposed to go. I can’t even afford first and last month’s rent anywhere else right now."

You don’t say anything yet, just stand with her in the silence. She gives a small, bitter laugh.

"Guess I’m that neighbor now, huh? The one who falls apart on her front lawn."

Somewhere inside, Ethan is still watching cartoons, unaware of how close everything is to unraveling.