Chapter 3

The next morning, my parents were at my apartment before I' d even finished my coffee. Their faces were etched with worry.

"Chloe, what is it? What happened?" my mom asked, rushing to my side and pulling me into a hug. My dad stood behind her, his expression grim.

I led them to the sofa and sat them down. I took a deep breath and told them everything. I told them about the dowry, the backyard barbecue, and Liam' s silence. Then, I told them what I had overheard Susan and Richard say on the patio.

As I spoke, my mom' s eyes filled with tears of anger, and my dad' s face hardened into a mask of cold fury.

"Those... those people," my dad growled, clenching his fists. "How dare they? To think they could treat our daughter like that."

"To use a baby, their own grandchild, as a weapon against you," my mom said, her voice shaking with rage. "It' s monstrous."

They looked at me, their concern shifting from the insult to my well-being.

"What are we going to do, sweetie?" my mom asked. "We' ll call them right now. We' ll cancel everything. You are not marrying into that family."

"No," I said calmly.

They both stared at me, confused.

"We' re not going to cancel anything," I continued, leaning forward. "The wedding is going to happen. Or at least, they' re going to think it' s going to happen."

And then, I laid out my plan.

I told them how I was going to pretend to accept the Davises' terms. I told them how I was going to use their own greed and hypocrisy against them.

"They think they have me trapped because of the baby," I said, a dark glint in my eye. "They think I have to do whatever they say to protect their 'precious grandchild.' So, that' s exactly what I' m going to do. I' m going to use this baby as a shield and a sword. I' m going to make the next week of their lives a living hell."

My parents listened, their expressions shifting from anger to shock, and then to a slow, dawning understanding.

"And at the wedding?" my dad asked, his voice low.

"At the wedding," I said, "I' m going to expose them in front of everyone they know. I' m going to burn their reputation to the ground."

There was a long silence as they processed the full scope of my plan. My mom looked at my stomach, her expression softening.

"But honey... the baby," she said gently. "What about the baby? You can' t put yourself through all this stress. And after... after it' s all over... raising a child alone, tied to that family forever..."

This was the hardest part. I took another deep breath, my resolve firm.

"There won' t be a baby, Mom."

The words fell into the quiet room like stones. My parents stared at me, their eyes wide with shock.

"What do you mean?" my dad whispered.

"I' m not bringing a child into this world to be tied to people like the Davises," I said, my voice unwavering. "I will not have a child with a man who would let his parents treat me this way. I will not let my baby be seen as 'damaged goods' or a 'bargaining chip.' I deserve better. And my child deserves better than a father like Liam and grandparents like them."

I held their gaze. "I' ve already made an appointment. It' s for the day before the wedding."

My mom let out a soft cry and pulled me into her arms. She didn' t argue. She didn' t try to change my mind. She just held me. My dad came and put his arms around both of us.

"We support you, Chloe," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "One hundred percent. Whatever you decide. We are with you."

Their support was the final piece of armor I needed.

Later that day, I picked up my phone and called Susan. I put on my best sweet, slightly pathetic voice.

"Susan?" I said, making sure it trembled a little. "It' s Chloe. I' ve been thinking a lot about what you said. About family and priorities."

"Yes, dear?" she asked, her voice cautious but pleased.

"Well, you' re just so right," I gushed. "And to be honest, I haven' t been feeling very well with the pregnancy. I feel so alone in my apartment. I was wondering... to make things easier before the wedding, and so I can be properly looked after... would it be okay if I moved in with you and Liam for the next week?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line. I could almost hear the triumphant smirk forming on her face. She thought her manipulation was complete. I was coming to them, broken and compliant. I was walking right into the cage.

"Of course, dear!" she finally exclaimed, her voice overflowing with fake warmth. "We would love to have you! It' s the perfect idea! We can take care of you and the baby. Pack your bags and come right over!"

"Thank you, Susan," I said, my voice full of fake gratitude. "You' re a lifesaver."

I hung up the phone and a slow, cold smile spread across my face.

The cage door was open. But they were the ones about to be trapped inside with me.

That evening, I arrived at the Davis house with two large suitcases. Susan and Liam met me at the door, all smiles.

"Welcome home, Chloe!" Susan said, ushering me inside.

I spent the first few hours playing the part of the meek, grateful daughter-in-law-to-be. I complimented Susan' s decorating, praised her cooking, and agreed with everything she said. They were smug, confident, and completely unsuspecting.

They went to bed around 11 PM, looking pleased with themselves.

I waited until 2 AM.

I crept out of the guest room and went to their bedroom door, knocking softly at first, then a little louder.

A sleepy Liam opened the door. "Chloe? What' s wrong?"

I put a hand on my stomach and gave him my most distressed look.

"Oh, Liam, I' m so sorry to wake you," I whispered. "But the baby... the baby is just craving lobster. Specifically, the lobster bisque from The Ocean Grill."

The Ocean Grill was a 24-hour fine-dining spot clear across town, a 45-minute drive one way.

Liam stared at me, his sleepy brain trying to process the request. "Lobster bisque? Now?"

"I know it' s crazy," I said, my voice breaking a little. "I tried to ignore it, but the craving is so strong, it' s making me feel sick. The doctor said I have to listen to my body."

From behind Liam, Susan' s sleepy voice called out, "What' s going on?"

"Chloe wants lobster bisque," Liam mumbled.

I heard a sigh from the darkness of their room. But then Susan' s voice came again, sharp and insistent, just as I knew it would.

"Well, go get her the lobster bisque, Liam! You can' t deny a pregnant woman her cravings! It' s bad for the baby!"

A slow, triumphant smile spread across my face in the dim hallway.

Checkmate. The game had begun.