Chapter 3

Just as I predicted, Mom didn't return to Megan's apartment the next day.

But avoiding trouble didn't mean trouble wouldn't find her.

Megan waited all morning for Mom to come sort things out. When no one showed up, she marched straight to our house.

As soon as Mom opened the door, Megan burst into tears. "Mom, you have to help me! Derek wants a divorce. Yesterday he said he'd put up three hundred thousand. Now he won't give me a cent. I can't do this on my own!"

Yes, failing to repay predatory loans can get you killed. Did you only just realize that?

In my past life, you dumped all of that debt onto me without a second thought. Did you ever stop to wonder if I would die?

Still, Megan had been the golden child for decades. Seeing her like this, Mom's heart softened slightly. "I want to help you, but tell me how much you actually need. Your father and I don't have three hundred thousand dollars lying around."

Mom had taken Derek's offer of three hundred thousand for the full amount Megan owed.

Megan stared at the floor. "Mom, that was what Derek said he'd pay. I owe $1.3 million, including interest."

Mom's face instantly flushed beet-red. "What?! 1.3 million?! You borrowed that much money behind our backs?!"

Terrified by Mom's explosive reaction, Megan didn't dare speak. She just sobbed uncontrollably.

Dad finally stepped in to break the tension. "Megan, that amount is simply too large. Give your mother and me some time to figure something out. Go home for today and keep Derek calm. After all, he still has a company; there's bound to be some money left in it."

Realizing the shock was too much for them to process in one day, Megan wiped her tears and left.

In our Ohio town, selling the family home wouldn't cover half of what Megan owed.

"No, this won't do! I'm going back over there to confront his mother!" Mom fumed. "They're husband and wife, and her son spent every single penny! Does she really think she can just wash her hands of this?!"

She dragged Dad out of the house like a whirlwind.

I didn't know what transpired between Mom and Derek's mother, but when I came home from work that evening, Mom was surprisingly composed.

"Mom, how did it go? Did you figure out a way to handle Megan's debt?"

Mom gave me a sidelong glance, looking as though she wanted to say something, but ultimately kept quiet.

"What good could ever come out of that woman's mouth? All she does is dodge responsibility!"

Later that night, shortly after I drifted off to sleep, I heard faint rustling sounds inside my bedroom.

I bolted upright, wide awake. "Who's there?!"

The intruder jumped in fright. "Chloe, it's Mom. I just came in to check if your blankets were pulled up!"

She quickly added, "You're fine. I'll head back out," and quietly backed away.

You came after all, Mom.

The tightness in my chest eased. All I felt now was detachment.

After a few minutes, I crept out of bed and walked silently to my parents' bedroom door.

"I can't find that worthless girl's documents anywhere! Where on earth did she hide them? What are we supposed to do now?!"