Chapter 4

"Chloe, Lola was slow, but how can you make up a sick joke like this?" Serena interrupted, her face tight.

Before Chloe could speak, Serena stepped forward, forced a stack of bills into Chloe's hand, and whispered sharply:

"If Lola doesn't want to come back tonight, that's fine."

"Take this money and give it to your father. Ask him to help us organize a town barbecue tomorrow."

"Since Lola got married, we should at least throw a nice reception for the town to make things right."

Chloe opened her mouth, but looking at the money, she swallowed her words, gripped the bills, and walked away in silence.

The next day, Chloe's family arrived.

When they saw the backyard decorated with bright red roses and ribbons, they froze in shock.

Chloe's father spoke with a stutter, his voice shaking with anger:

"Ethan... is this party really for Lola?"

Ethan, busy hanging up a red banner, smiled and nodded.

"Yes. I wasn't here when she got married, and I've felt terrible about it."

"Lola has her... issues. As her family, we should pay for this reception to show our appreciation to her husband's family. It's the right thing to do."

Before he could finish, Chloe's father began to tremble with rage. He threw the money hard onto the ground and turned on his heel.

At the gate, he spat out bitterly:

"Everyone in this town knows why Lola ended up the way she did."

"You went to the city and lost your damn mind, didn't you? Helping the Millers throw a party after what they did? You're going to burn in hell, Ethan Carter!"

With that, Chloe's family stormed off.

Serena chased after them, grabbing Chloe's arm, demanding an explanation.

Chloe pointed toward the cemetery on the hill, tears streaming down her face.

"Lola is dead! Luke Miller tortured her to death! Both she and the baby are buried in the dirt right now!"

"You didn't come back to protect her, you pushed her into that hellhole instead!"

"And now that she's gone, you're helping the Millers celebrate? What kind of sick brother are you?!"

Serena stumbled back into the yard, her face white. Ethan was busy washing the grill.

He muttered angrily, "I don't know what's wrong with that family. If they don't want the money, we'll find someone else to cater!"

Serena opened her mouth, trembling, but before she could speak, a loud commotion came from the front gate.

It was a sound I knew all too well.

"It's the bad guys from the gas station! They're here to steal our things again!"

I hid behind Ethan, but he stood up with a warm smile to welcome them.

The man leading them was Luke Miller.

With the other creeps cheering him on, Luke walked up to Ethan, acting meek, and muttered, "Long time no see."

Ethan looked past him, searching for me. When he saw no one, disappointment flashed in his eyes.

"Is Lola still mad at me for coming back late? Is she refusing to see me?"

Realizing Ethan was completely in the dark, Luke's attitude changed instantly. Seeing more townspeople gathering, he pulled Serena out of the yard.

Scared he would hurt her, I quickly followed them.

Once out of Ethan's sight, Luke sneered and shoved his hand out.

"Where is the monthly cash you promised?"

"Pay up, or I'll tell Ethan that you are my biological sister, Serena Miller. Let's see if he still keeps you in his fancy city apartment after that!"

I froze.

Serena's real brother... was Luke, the monster who tormented me.

Serena slapped his hand away in disgust.

"You have the nerve to ask for money?"

"Lola died weeks ago! How dare you keep that from me!"

Luke scratched his head, looking bored.

"You told me to marry her and keep her locked up in this town so she couldn't go to the city. You didn't say I couldn't touch her."

"Besides, she was weak. She died during labor after just a few times. Who knows whose bastard she was carrying anyway?"

Serena's body shook with pure rage. She slapped him hard across the face.

"She was pregnant, you idiot! How could you treat her like that?!"

Enraged, Luke grabbed Serena by the throat, pinning her against the wall.

"Other women survive pregnancy just fine! She was just fragile! She deserved to die!"

"And who cares about the baby? They were both useless baggage!"

I screamed at him, begging him to let her go, but it was useless.

Nobody could hear me.

Luke growled a threat, telling Serena she had to pay him before she left for the city, or he would expose her.

Just then, Ethan's cold voice rang out from behind them:

"Luke... what the hell are you talking about?"