Chapter 4

The ten-year anniversary of Nicole's "death" arrived on a perfect summer Saturday. We decided to throw a barbecue in the backyard to celebrate Matthew's scholarship. Our yard was filled with family and friends. Maria was there, beaming with pride as she watched Matthew explain a robotics project to our neighbors. Gabby was laughing by the grill. For a moment, it felt like we had truly escaped the past.

Then, I saw them.

They came through the side gate, uninvited. Nicole and Ryan.

They looked like they had stepped out of a magazine. Nicole wore a white dress that looked expensive, her hair perfectly styled. Ryan had the same arrogant smirk I remembered from high school, wearing a polo shirt with a fancy logo. They looked polished, successful, and completely out of place.

A hush fell over the party. Everyone turned to stare.

"Nicole?" Maria whispered, her hand flying to her mouth.

Nicole gave a sad, beautiful smile. "Hello, Mom."

She walked forward, her eyes fixed on me, then on Matthew. Ryan followed, a confident swagger in his step.

"I know this is a shock," Nicole announced to the silent crowd. "There's no easy way to say this. I'm alive. The accident... it was a mistake. Ryan and I... we had to get away."

She looked at Matthew, her eyes filling with tears. "And we've come back for our son."

She pointed directly at Matthew.

"We've come to take A.J. home."

Ryan stepped forward, pulling out a thick envelope from his jacket. "We know this is a lot to process, Andrew. We're prepared to compensate you for your time. For... babysitting."

The crowd gasped. The insult was so blatant, so cruel, it sucked the air out of the yard.

Nicole took another step, her arms outstretched towards Matthew. "Come here, baby. It's Mommy. I'm finally here to take you home."

Matthew, confused and scared, hid behind Gabby's legs.

I stood there, my heart pounding, but not with shock. Not this time. It was the steady, cold beat of a drum counting down to a battle I had been preparing to fight for a decade.