The Smiths left, actually smiling. We high–fived.
“Good job.”
“Same to you.”
No such thing as selfless love. Just good
partnerships. We were waiting for Jason. But
the Smith family he came back to? It would be his nightmare.
- 5.
Eight years. The Smiths and Carters were huge. Our companies were powerhouses. Ethan ran
things since high school. The Smiths adored
him. Who needed Jason when they had Ethan?
At Ethan’s 18th birthday party, he stood next to
me in a sharp suit. Everyone joked about how
perfect we were, meant to be. The MC started
talking, and this greasy, ragged guy barged in.
Mr. Smith, busy with his speech, said, “Get him
outta here. This isn’t a flophouse.”
Then the guy yelled, “Dad!” Everyone stared.
<
He pushed his hair back. He looked a bit like
Mr. Smith. “I’m your son! Who’s this loser? Get
him down! He’s nothing!” He was cursing up a
storm. People were frowning.
He saw me and lunged. “I’ll kill you, you bitch!
This is your fault!”
Ethan kicked him down. “Get some help, dude.
Don’t freak out here.”
Then a girl came in. Ashley. She helped the guy
- up. “ and Mrs. Smith, Jason’s
–
– Jason
—
just upset. We escaped…a bad situation. He’s
your son. He’s been trying to get back. It’s not
too late.” She showed off scars on her arms,
like they’d been through hell.
The party was ruined. The Smiths made
excuses, said they’d talk later. Ethan, whose
party it was, didn’t even blink.
<
Back at the Smiths‘, Jason slumped on the
couch, greasy clothes staining everything, put his feet up. “Get out! I’m back, he’s not
needed.” His fingers were messed up. He
pointed at Ashley. “This is my woman. She’s
gonna be your daughter–in–law. A few million
as a welcome–back gift. And the wedding
better be fancy.”
The Smiths looked at each other. “Jason,
honey, you just got back. We get it, but things
take time.”
Jason’s face was all messed up, mean–looking.
He spat. “Don’t play games. You like him
better! He’s a replacement. I’m your real son.
And Claire…” He glared at me. “That bitch is
why I disappeared.”
I gasped, hiding behind Mrs. Smith, fake tears
welling up. “I was so happy you were back! Now
you’re saying it was my fault? Because I didn’t
get kidnapped too? You blame me?”
“If you think that, Mrs. Smith, I’ll just stay
away,” I whimpered.
Mrs. Smith hugged me. “Don’t be silly, dear. I
think of you as my own. I don’t blame you at all.”
Jason kicked the coffee table. “Cut the crap. Where’s my room?”
They rushed upstairs. I followed Ashley outside. “You’re back too, huh?” I asked.
Ashley smirked. “Almost got away with it, didn’t
you? Too bad for you, I am too. You lose.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Oh really?”
She was so smug. “I stole your life once, I can do it again. Just watch.”
I chuckled, watching her walk away. Some
people never learn. Even dummies know you can’t use the same formula for every problem. Luckily, idiots like her don’t feel guilt. But they sure feel fear. Just watch, I thought. I’ll show
you how to lose everything.
<
The next day, I went back. Ashley blocked the
door. “You’ve got some nerve showing up here.
You’re not welcome.”
Mrs. Smith saw me and pulled me inside. I
handed her a box of jewelry. “Mrs. Smith, if she doesn’t want me here, I’ll go. My parents
wanted me to give you this for Jason’s return. Bye.”
Mrs. Smith dragged me in. “Don’t be silly! Of
course you’re welcome! You and Ethan are so
close, don’t let…her come between you.” She
glared at Ashley.
“Who said you get to decide? Since when do
you run this family? Know your place, or you’ll
regret it!” she snapped.
I grinned at Ashley as Mrs. Smith pulled me
inside. Ashley stomped her foot, fuming.
A crash from upstairs. Jason yelling, “I’m the
heir! Who does he think he is? I said get rid of
his stuff! Are you deaf?”
Mr. Smith rushed in, grabbing some papers
from Jason. “Stop this! You don’t know
anything! Why this room? Your brother’s
<
working hard! Can’t you just behave?”
Jason’s eyes went red. “He’s not my brother!
He’s a bastard! I’m the only son!” He pointed at
- me. “And why is she here? Ashley’s my
girlfriend! She’s not welcome!”
Mrs. Smith tried to smooth things over. “Claire
brought you a present!”
Jason snatched the box and threw it in the
pool. “That’s what I think of her!”
I watched the Smiths, barely holding back their
anger. Perfect. Time to go.
Ashley followed me out. I went to the garden to
retrieve the box. As I bent down, something
whizzed past my head. I ducked, and Ashley
landed in the pool.
