Page 4 of The Secret Heir Next Door

- Change the storefront’s appearance to match the “upscale” aesthetic of the block.

- Update the signage to something “more tasteful and modern.”

- Repaint the exterior in a color scheme that aligns with the other businesses.

The letter ends by stating that I have thirty days to leave the premises.

Thirty days? To leave?!

I never received anything about amendments.

“This has to be a joke,” I mutter, anger bubbling up inside me.

I flip the letter over, searching for some indication that it’s a prank, but it’s all too real. My shop, my livelihood, labeled an eyesore?

How can they send this via regular mail anyway? I was never served any papers, and I never even received a clue about this.

I grab my phone and dial my sister’s number. Emily is a lawyer, and she’ll know what to do. The phone rings, and rings, and rings. Finally, her voicemail picks up.

“Hi, you’ve reached Emily. I’m in court or with a client right now, but leave a message, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.”

“Emily, it’s Serena,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “I just got a letter from the new owner of the building. It’s an eviction letter stating that I didn’t make the changes they requested, and I have thirty days to leave. I thought I was grandfathered in with the old terms! But I never saw anythingabout these rules until just now. Please call me back as soon as you can. I’m freaking out here.”

I hang up and take a deep breath, trying to calm the panic in my chest. This can’t be happening. The former owner had assured me that nothing would be changed with the lease when he sold the building.

How can this be legal?

I pace the store, my mind racing. The candy shop is my dream, my baby. I’ve poured my heart and soul into this place. The thought of losing it is unbearable. I look around at the brightly colored walls, the cheerful candy displays, and the decorative sign I designed myself. It’s all part of the charm and character of Sweet Treats. And now, some new owner wants to strip all that away.

I try calling Emily again, but it goes straight to voicemail. She must still be in court. I leave another message, my voice more frantic this time.

“Emily, it’s me again. Please,pleasecall me back when you get this. I don’t know what to do.”

Feeling helpless, I sink onto a stool behind the counter and stare at the letter. There has to be something I can do. Maybe I can talk to the new owner, explain the situation, and come to an agreement. I can’t let Sweet Treats go without a fight.

I begin drafting an email to the address listed on the letter, outlining my concerns and requesting a meeting to discuss the demands. My hands tremble as I type, the fear of losing everything weighing heavily on my mind.

I glance around the shop at the happy candy illustrations hanging on the walls and the cozy little corners where kids and parents alike find joy. It all means so much to me and the community. And that style carries through to the outside. This owner can’t make me change my branding. There’s got to be some sort of law against that.

The bell above the door jingles, signaling another customer. I quickly compose myself, pushing the worry about the letter to the back of my mind.

“Welcome to Sweet Treats! How can I help you today?” I say, plastering on my best customer service smile.

The gorgeous man from earlier, the one with the ruined Armani, strides into the shop, looking around with a bored glance. His eyes lock onto mine, and I gasp when he narrows them.

Now he’s wearing another Armani suit with no stains, and he looks like the most delicious man on the planet.

“I should’ve known that you worked at this ridiculous eyesore,” he says, his voice dripping with disdain.

Did I hear him correctly?

What did I ever do to this man? I mean, other than accidentally smearing oatmeal, bananas, and coffee all over him?

“Excuse me? This ‘eyesore’ happens to be a beloved candy shop in the community.”

He steps closer, his presence imposing. “Beloved or not, it’s a blight on this block. The storefront is gaudy, the sign outside is childish, and the colors clash with the other businesses.”

“Well, I’m sorry you feel that way, but my customers love it. This shop has character, unlike the bland, cookie-cutter businesses you probably prefer.”

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