Chapter 1
On the day of my engagement party, both families gathered in the living room to celebrate and share our joy.
My boyfriend, Jason Miller's phone rang. He glanced at the screen and said, "It's from work," and stepped outside to take the call.
His phone was still casting to the TV, and he totally forgot to turn it off.
On the big screen, the call interface was crystal clear, with the contact name [Ms. Quinn] displayed.
Funny enough, my best friend's last name was Quinn, too.
Vanessa Quinn's voice came through the speakers. "Are you sure she won't find out if the house is under my name?"
Jason chuckled. "Relax, she's clueless. Get ready, babe, you're about to enjoy the good life with me."
My mom was so shocked that she gripped my hand, her nails digging into my skin.
While they were chatting away, the living room was so quiet that anyone could hear a pin drop.
Twenty minutes later, he pushed the door open and walked in, grinning from ear to ear.
*****
The engagement party was in full swing. Both families had gathered in our living room, and the air was filled with the rich aroma of the catered appetizers.
The food was amazing, but the vibe was incredibly awkward. Instead of celebrating, everyone was busy hashing out the wedding details.
My dad cleared his throat, holding a little notebook. "As for our contribution to the wedding fund, we've decided to put in 60,000 dollars."
Jason's mom, Vivian Miller, immediately broke into a smile. Her laugh was a little sharp. "That's a great number."
After saying that, she nudged Ethan Miller, Jason's dad, who was sitting right next to her.
Ethan nodded, didn't say a word, and kept puffing on his cigarette. The room was filled with smoke.
My mom chimed in, "We want to make sure Anna and her partner have every advantage. That 60,000 dollars is their wedding fund, and we're also buying them a car as a gift, titled completely in Anna's name."
Vivian's eyes lit up as she turned to Jason. "Jason, did you hear that? John and Mary are being so incredibly generous to you both."
Jason flashed a bright smile at my parents; his teeth practically sparkled. "Thank you, John. Thank you, Mary. I'll always take good care of Anna."
He sounded like he meant it.
I stared at him.
I'd been looking at this face for five years, since our college days.
I thought I had him all figured out.
His phone buzzed in his pocket.
He took it out and glanced at the screen, and it lit up.
He quickly covered the screen with his hand. He moved so fast.
Then he stood up. "It's work. I'll be right back."
He gave me a quick smile, then turned and headed for the balcony.
The door clicked shut behind him.
I looked down and took a sip of my coffee. It was cold.
My mom was still chatting with Jason's mom about the wedding.
My dad was talking about cars with Jason's dad.
Everything seemed perfectly normal.
The TV was on. The volume was turned down low. Some boring variety show was on.
I liked having some background noise in the living room.
Suddenly, the TV screen flickered. The variety show disappeared from the screen. The TV switched to a phone casting interface.
Jason's phone screen popped up.
He'd forgotten to turn off the casting, and he'd set it up last time we watched a movie together.
None of them noticed a thing.
Everyone was having a lively conversation, totally absorbed in their own world.
I was the only one who saw it.
Suddenly, a call screen popped up on the TV.
The caller's name was "Ms. Quinn".
Funny enough, my best friend Vanessa's last name is Quinn, too.
My heart skipped a beat.
Jason answered the call. The phone was casting to the TV. The call was on speaker.
A familiar woman's voice echoed from the TV speakers. It was so clear. "Jason, are you sure she won't find out if the house is under my name?"
It was Vanessa's voice. I'd recognize it anywhere.
The chatter in the living room died instantly.
My mom's hand froze in mid-air.
Vivian's smile stiffened on her face.
Everyone turned to stare at the TV.
Jason's voice came from behind the balcony door.
It also came through the TV speakers.
He sounded like he was smiling. "Relax, she's clueless. I sweet-talk her a little, and she'll buy whatever I say.
"She said her family's throwing in a car as a wedding gift. That car is all yours when the time comes. Get ready, babe, you're about to enjoy the good life with me."
Vanessa laughed on the other end. "So, what about your little sweetheart, Anna Carter? What are you gonna do with her?"
Jason let out a mocking laugh. "What's there to worry about? Once we're married, she's mine. Her money is my money. Her house will be our son's one day.
"Once I get my hands on her parents' old house, I'll divorce her. Then you'll be the real lady of the house."
My mom suddenly clutched my hand. Her nails dug deep into my skin.
It hurt like hell. But I barely felt it. All I felt was a cold chill washing over me.
Ethan's cigarette slipped from his hand and hit the floor. Vivian's face went from red to white, then to a sickly shade of green.
The living room was so quiet that anyone could hear everyone's breathing.
On the TV, their conversation kept going. They were talking about how to set up the nursery in the house, debating how to use the car, and plotting how to get an early advance on my parents' inheritance.
Every word cut like a knife, stabbing right into my heart.
Twenty minutes. They kept talking for a full twenty minutes.
*****
The balcony door opened, and Jason walked in.
He had a bright smile on his face. "All set. Just a client who insisted on talking about the project right now." He sounded totally at ease.
He walked over to me, reaching out to take my hand.
He didn't notice the dead silence in the living room, didn't notice how pale his parents looked, and didn't see my mom's eyes, red and filled with tears.
He only had eyes for me. "Anna, where were we?"