Chapter 4 - The False Surrender
I went back home that evening.
Michael was pacing the living room, looking disheveled.
When he saw me, he rushed forward.
“Evelyn! Thank God.”
“I thought you took Olivia and left me.”
I forced my face to soften.
I had to play the part perfectly.
“I just needed some space, Michael.”
“To think.”
He grabbed my hands.
“I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”
“I’ll make it right. I swear.”
“I’ll talk to Mom. I’ll make her sell the car.”
“We’ll get the money back into Olivia’s account.”
I looked down, pretending to be torn.
“It hurts, Michael. It really hurts.”
“You lied to me.”
“I know, I know,” he pleaded.
“But we’re a family. We can fix this.”
“Just... please don't involve the lawyers.”
“If this gets out, it will ruin my career.”
I slowly nodded.
“Okay.”
The relief that washed over his face was disgusting.
It was so genuine, so pathetic.
He really thought I was that weak.
“Really?” he breathed.
“Yes,” I lied smoothly.
“But we are doing things my way from now on.”
“No more secrets.”
“I want to see your mother.”
“I want her to apologize to Olivia.”
“And I want to have a family dinner this Friday.”
“With Mark, your mother, and everyone.”
“We are going to lay all the cards on the table.”
Michael nodded eagerly, like a puppy.
“Yes. Absolutely.”
“I’ll organize it. I’ll make sure everyone is there.”
“They will apologize, Evelyn. I promise.”
He pulled me into a hug.
I kept my arms at my sides, my eyes cold and dead.
Over his shoulder, I saw his phone buzz on the counter.
A text message from his brother, Mark.
I had hacked into his iPad earlier that day to mirror his messages.
I already knew what it said.
“Did the stupid bitch buy your apology? The bank is calling about the loan.”
I smiled into the empty room.
Yes, the stupid bitch bought it.
And on Friday, the stupid bitch was going to serve them all on a silver platter.
I spent the next three days finalizing my trap.
I moved every single remaining asset into an impenetrable offshore trust.
May you like
I changed the locks on the Aspen house.
And I waited for Friday.
