Chapter 2

My dad’s hand shook as he took the glass from her. "Chloe, your mom can’t drink. I’ll drink it for her."

The cheap, burning alcohol made him cough, his eyes turning red. Under the table, my mom gently squeezed my hand. "It's okay, sweetheart. The food is fine."

Carter threw my hand back, a mocking sneer on his lips. "I knew you’d be sensible."

Vivian immediately wrapped her arms around his, tears streaming down her face on cue. "Carter, did I do something wrong? I just wanted to save the company some money..."

She grabbed a handful of the cold leftovers, pretending she was going to stuff them into her own mouth. Carter quickly pulled her into a hug. "Don't ruin yourself for them!"

He turned to my parents, his voice laced with disgust. "You two probably don't know this, but when I first started my business, I couldn’t even afford leftovers. If you look down on this meal, then Chloe and I are done."

My mom suddenly burst into a violent fit of coughing. A streak of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.

My dad panicked, wiping her lips. "We’re fine with it, Carter. Really. As long as you and Chloe are happy..."

Vivian smiled instantly. She pushed a plate of cold, soggy shrimp toward my dad. "Then eat up, Mr. Vance."

Before I could blow up, the door opened again.

This time, the hotel manager walked in, carrying a steaming, freshly cooked lobster. "Mr. Brooks, the main course you ordered is here."

I let out a breath. At least he wasn’t completely heartless.

But Carter redirected the plate right in front of Vivian. "Vivian has been working so hard overtime lately. She needs the nutrients. You guys just eat what you have."

I slammed my dad’s fork out of his hand. "Carter Brooks! You make my parents eat leftovers, and you give your assistant the lobster?"

He frowned, annoyed. "Chloe, when did you become so materialistic? Is a lobster more important, or am I?"

I helped my parents up and walked toward the door. I stopped right at the threshold.

"In my world, nobody gets to humiliate my parents."

"Carter, we are over."

Behind me, the sound of plates smashing echoed through the room.

"Chloe Vance, you will regret this!"

I took my parents to a quiet diner to get some warm soup.

But when we got back to our apartment complex, our belongings were scattered all over the muddy lawn. My mom’s medicine box was smashed, pills rolling into the dirt.

I rushed to the door. The smart lock's passcode had been changed.

My dad frantically searched the grass. "Chloe! Your mom’s targeted cancer meds are gone! She has to take them tonight, or she’ll relapse!"

I called Carter. Vivian answered. "Mr. Brooks is in the shower. What’s up? Weren't you so tough and independent this afternoon?"

In the background, I heard Carter’s voice. "Who is it?"

"Nobody, just spam," Vivian said and hung up.

My mom was already whimpering, curled up in pain on a cold bench. I slammed my fists against the door. "Carter! Open the door! Give me the medicine!"

After ten minutes of pounding, the door finally opened.

Vivian stepped out, purposely stepping on one of my suitcases. She jingled my car keys in front of my face. "The car is a company asset registered under Mr. Brooks’ name. Want it back? Beg me."

I reached out to grab them. She let out a fake shriek, jumped back, and crushed my mom's last bottle of medicine under her high heel.

"Chloe Vance!" Carter rushed out and kicked my leg. "How dare you put your hands on her!"

Vivian threw herself into his chest, sobbing. "I just wanted to bring Mrs. Vance her medicine..."

Carter patted her back gently, then looked at me with pure disgust. "Vivian thinks about my company in everything she does. Unlike some people who use their status as a fiancée to run wild."

I laughed out of sheer anger. "I lived in a moldy basement with you for three years! I secured almost all your major clients! And now I’m the one running wild?"

Vivian suddenly broke free from his hug. "It’s all my fault. I’ll just leave!"

Carter pulled her back and roared at me, "Look at her! Vivian always puts me first! All you ever do is take, take, take!"