Chapter 4

The next morning, a loud, violent pounding woke me up.

I didn't even need to look at the security camera to know who it was.

I lived in a luxury penthouse in the city center, over 3,500 square feet, with a private elevator entrance.

I owned this entire place, but I had never told Ethan.

To protect his fragile ego, I had lied and told him I was renting it, claiming I had begged the landlord for a massive discount.

Ethan always complained that I was terrible with money and that renting a luxury penthouse was just pure vanity.

Yet, when he moved in, he enjoyed it more than anyone.

I opened the door.

Ethan stood at the front. Behind him was his mother and his freeloader younger brother, Tyler.

"Chloe, what took you so long?"

Ethan pushed past me impatiently, acting as if nothing had happened last night.

To him, my anger was probably just a temporary tantrum.

"What do you think you're doing?" I blocked the entryway, staring cold-bloodedly at them.

Ethan assumed his "lord of the house" posture.

"Since you decided to ruin the wedding, we need to talk about our post-breakup arrangements."

"Even though you rent this place, I lived here for three years."

"Now that I’m moving out, I need to take what's mine."

He waved his hand at Tyler behind him.

"Tyler, go inside and grab anything valuable."

Tyler grinned. "You got it, bro! Man, this place is huge! My sister-in-law really lived like a queen!"

Ethan’s mother pushed her way in, her greedy eyes darting around the living room.

"Oh my, this leather sofa looks expensive."

"And look at this TV! It must be worth thousands!"

"Chloe, you're just a single girl now. Keeping such a huge place is a waste."

She walked toward the living room as if she owned the place.

I was stunned by their shamelessness.

"Stop right there!" I barked.

"This is my apartment. Who gave you permission to enter?"

"This is trespassing. I will call the police."

Ethan turned around, looking at me as if I were stupid.

"Chloe, you're renting this place. It's not even yours."

"Besides, we haven't officially broken up yet."

"Even if we do, I’ve wasted three years of my youth on you. You paid the rent, but I paid with my time."

He walked over to the Italian leather sofa and plop down.

"It works out perfectly. Tyler is getting married next month, and his fiancée wants a nice place."

"Since you've already paid the rent, it'll be a waste to leave it empty."

"Tyler can use this as his wedding house for the next six months."

"You have plenty of money anyway. Consider this your compensation to the Carter family."

I laughed out of sheer anger.

What kind of parasites were they?

Not only did they refuse to leave, but they also wanted to steal my home for his brother's wedding?

Looking at Ethan's smug face, I decided not to kick them out immediately.

If they wanted to play dirty, I was going to ruin them.

I quietly reached into my pocket and turned on the voice recorder on my phone.

"Ethan, let me get this straight. You want to live here?"

"And you want your brother to use my apartment for his wedding?"

Ethan nodded. "Exactly. Be generous, Chloe."

"You embarrassed me in front of everyone last night. I haven't even settled that score with you yet."

"Letting my brother use this place for six months will make us even."

"Oh, and you’ll need to prepay the rent for the next six months."

"If you don't, I'll go to your company and make a scene. I'll tell everyone how you led me on and ruined my life."

I suppressed my rage, baiting him to say more.

"And what if I say no?"

Ethan’s mother rushed over, pointing her finger at my nose.

"Say no? Who do you think you are to say no?"

"My Ethan spent three years of his life with you! We’re being nice by not suing you for wasting his youth!"

"If you don't agree, I’ll move in today and never leave!"

Ethan smiled triumphantly.

"See that, Chloe? We have nothing to lose."

"You're a professional woman. You wouldn't want to make a public scene, would you?"

"Be smart. Pack your things and get out."

"Oh, and leave your car keys behind. Tyler needs a nice car for his wedding convoy. Your BMW will do nicely."

I looked at the three of them. My heart grew colder and colder.

Since you want to be criminals, don't blame me for sending you to prison.

I turned off the recording and pulled a can of pepper spray out of my bag.

"You want my apartment? You want my car?"

"Sure."

"Let's see if you have the lives to enjoy them."