I thought I was surprising my parents for Easter with flowers and chocolate—what I found instead shocked me to my core. My sister had taken over their house… and left them living in the garage like guests in their own life. So… turns out my sister kicked my parents out of their own house, and they were living in the garage. I only found out because I tried to surprise them for Easter.

I live about five hours away. I talk to my mom almost every day. Just little check-ins. She always says the same thing: “We’re fine, honey. Just doing our usual.” Growing up, we were a close family. Not rich, but happy. My dad built our house by hand. My mom kept it cozy and clean. It felt like a home where time slowed down. Warm walls, wooden floors, the smell of cinnamon year-round.

My sister Cassandra? Not so much the “cozy” type. She’s two years older. Loud, dramatic, always in and out of trouble. But to strangers? She’s sunshine. Total charmer. She can smile while ruining your life. Anyway, this year, I decided to surprise my parents for Easter. No warning. Just grabbed a few chocolate eggs, a bouquet of tulips, and hit the road.

I was excited. I pictured my mom’s face lighting up when she saw me. Maybe some music playing. My dad grilling something on the deck. Easter decorations on the porch. But when I pulled into the driveway… nothing. I stood there, confused. Maybe they went out? But they never go out on Easter. I knocked. No answer. I still had my old key, so I let myself in. And I froze.

The furniture was all different. Cold. Modern. Gray walls instead of warm yellow. The couch was gone. A huge white leather thing sat there instead, like something out of a dentist’s office. The family photos were gone too. Replaced with abstract black-and-white prints. My mom’s antique clock? Gone. In its place, a giant twisted metal thing that looked like coat hangers fighting each other. I stood there, heart racing. Did I go to the wrong house? Then I heard her voice. Cassandra.

“Wait, you didn’t tell me your sister was coming.” Then a guy laughed. “What, the golden goose? She’ll be gone by morning.” I backed out of the house like it was on fire. I walked around to the garage, still shaking. I didn’t know what I was looking for. But then I saw the light through the side window. I opened the garage door slowly.