After Being Bitten to Death by a Fox I Was Reborn – Chapter 6
Mark looked at Jack. “You’d let Mom die?”
Jack frowned, conflicted, but soon decided.
“Mark, you’re already well-off. You don’t need another house. My son died on your watch there’s got to be someone to be held accountable.”
As Linda moved toward the balcony again, I said, “Fine, you get both of the houses, but on one condition.”
Emily scoffed, “You’re in no position to negotiate.”
I ignored her, stating, “Let’s split the family, now that you’ve got what you want. Mom lives with us, and we cut contact from now on.”
Emily’s lips curled. “Good. I’ve never liked you. Once we’re split, move out and don’t even call.”
Jack’s expression changed subtly, but he stayed silent.
The agreement, in duplicate, was signed under a lawyer’s witness, drawing the line.
The fox fled, Jack and Emily left, and my life seemed calm again.
But I knew it wasn’t over.
I watched my newborn in his crib, unable to close my eyes, fearing a repeat of that tragedy a lifetime ago.
Whimpering howls outside the hospital room went on for a week, just like what had happened befoer low moans, then wails, chilling me.
Learning from last time, I hired three nannies to watch my baby round-the-clock, installing surveillance cameras with alarms triggered by any four-legged intruders.
On discharge day, Emily called, inviting us to their new place.
At the complex, an older woman stopped me.
“You’re Jack’s family, right?”
Mark and I exchanged glances, surprised. Was Jack’s family that notorious here?
She nodded, sighing. “Go talk some sense into him. He needs to sign the demolition contract. It’s pointless if he keeps making a fuss!”
I raised an eyebrow. “Why pointless?”
She shook her head. “Demolition pay is by area. Whether it’s a commercial tower or housing, it’s the same for us.”
“Jack heard a tower could earn more, so he’s demanding an extra two million. No way that will work.”
“He’s rallied some tenants to protest with him, and now payment for everyone is delayed.”
I nodded, staying neutral.
I’d heard the old houses’ demolition rates fair, even slightly high.
Their current penthouse was a discounted developer perk.
Their behavior was like cursing the cook after licking their plate clean.
Drag it out, and the developer would handle them. Sure enough, next I heard, the demolition work was done.
Jack, Emily, and other holdouts’ houses still stood.
Whether intentional or not, the developer built the tower’s toilets right across from their house, the stench hitting them at the door.
They rallied holdouts to protest every day, but the developer shut them down.