Chapter 4

I began setting the stage for the final showdown.

I needed the perfect timing, a stage grand enough to strip away their dignity and ruin their lives beyond repair.

And the ultimate trigger would be my parents.

That evening, I called my mom.

The moment the call connected, her excited voice poured through the speaker:

"Avery, tell me the truth, is the condo almost ready? Your dad and I can barely wait!"

Gripping the phone, listening to the pure joy and innocence in my mom's voice, my chest seized with unbearable pain.

I drew a deep breath, forcing my tone to sound thrilled:

"Mom, it's completely done. Ethan said he wants to bring you two over this weekend to see it."

"The remodel turned out incredible. He promises you're getting a massive surprise."

"Really?! That's wonderful!" My mom sounded as overjoyed as a little kid on Christmas.

"Your dad and I will catch the morning train tomorrow! We packed a bunch of cured meats and homegrown veggies from the farm for you and Ethan!"

"Sounds great, Mom. I'll pick you up at the station tomorrow."

The second I ended the call, the fake smile melted off my face.

*I'm so sorry, Mom.*

*This 'surprise' is going to break your heart.*

*But ripping off the band-aid quickly is better than letting the rot spread.*

*Some tumors have to be carved out by the root before you can ever heal.*

I fired off a text to Ethan.

"Babe, my parents are arriving tomorrow afternoon. They're dying to see the new place. Let's head over there together."

Ethan texted back almost instantly with a thumbs-up emoji and a cocky reply:

"No problem, babe. Perfect timing for them to admire my hard work. I guarantee they'll be blown away."

Staring at those words, the corners of my lips curved into an icy smirk.

Oh, they were going to be blown away, alright.

The next afternoon, I pulled up to the train station to pick up my parents.

They were lugging heavy duffel bags, their weathered faces glowing with excitement and dreams of their peaceful new retirement.

My dad clapped Ethan on the shoulder as Ethanloaded the bags, smiling from ear to ear:

"Good boy! Avery told me you turned the condo into a masterpiece."

"Dad, it's the least I could do for you guys," Ethan said, wearing a humble, dutiful mask without breaking a sweat.

My mom took my hand, whispering softly, "Ethan is truly one in a million, Avery."

"You make sure you treat him well, okay?"

I smiled and nodded, though my heart was bleeding out.

We drove toward the condo.

In the back seat, my parents were eagerly brainstorming what potted plants they'd put on the balcony and what cozy chairs they'd pick for the living room.

Ethan sat in the passenger seat, chiming in now and then with sweet promises, painting a flawless picture of the future.

Nobody noticed my dead-eyed glare locked onto him through the rearview mirror.

The car pulled into the underground garage.

Ethan played the attentive son-in-law, eagerly grabbing all the luggage.

"Mom, Dad, this way. The elevator's right over here."

The four of us stepped into the elevator.

The mirrored walls reflected our faces.

My parents: full of bright anticipation.

Ethan: brimming with arrogant pride.

And me: wrapped in cold, ruthless finality.

*Ding.*

The elevator doors slid open on the sixth floor.

Ethan pulled out the keys, stepping ahead to unit 602 with a flourish. He turned around, flashing an exaggerated, theatrical grin:

"Ready for the grand reveal?"

My parents laughed and nodded.

He shoved the key into the deadbolt and gave it a smooth twist.

*Click.*

The door swung open.

I stood right behind my parents, watching the entryway widen.

Watching the woman who was about to show her face.

Watching the curtain rise on the absolute bloodbath I had painstakingly orchestrated.

I knew that from this exact second, our lives would never be the same.

*Ethan. Chloe. Hope you're ready for your big moment.*