Chapter 3

"He has a concussion. He's staying in the guest room until he recovers."

That was what Jenny told me the next morning. Wes, the parasite, was now officially living in my house. He'd milked the "concussion" for all it was worth, playing the wounded victim to perfection.

I didn't argue. I didn't say a word. I just nodded, a profound sense of calm washing over me. The fight was over. I had lost.

I went up to my office, closed the door, and took out my phone. I scrolled through my contacts until I found the number I hadn't called in over a year.

"Brian?" My father's voice was as powerful and commanding as I remembered. He was a real estate magnate in New York City, a king in his concrete kingdom.

"Dad," I said, my own voice sounding thin. "You were right. I'm done."

There was a pause. No "I told you so." Just a quiet understanding. "Good. Your office is waiting for you. When are you coming home?"

"Tomorrow," I said. "I'll book a flight tonight."

"I'll have the jet ready," he replied. "Welcome back, son."

I hung up and felt a decade of self-inflicted pressure lift from my shoulders. The life I had built in Pittsburgh, this independent life on my own merit, was a lie. It was a house built on sand, and the tide had finally come in.

I started packing. It didn't take long. My life fit into two suitcases. I picked up a framed photo from my desk-me and Jenny on our wedding day, smiling. I stared at it for a long moment, then dropped it into the trash can.

On the dresser was the watch she gave me for our fifth anniversary. A beautiful, expensive piece I knew we couldn't really afford. I took it off and threw it in the trash on top of the photo.

As I was about to leave the room, I saw a folder on my desk. I didn't remember putting it there. I opened it.

Inside was a signed divorce petition. My signature was already on it, from a time we'd almost split years ago but reconciled. She had kept it. Beneath the papers was a small flash drive. I had no idea what was on it, but I pocketed it, a strange premonition settling in my gut. My escape plan was now complete.