Chapter 3

I rushed to the storage room and opened the door.

The neatly arranged food and water were now a mess.

The supplies meant to last me through the summer were mostly gone.

Declan had taken my supplies to make money?

I stood there, stunned.

I didn’t know how to face him.

I had agreed yesterday that what’s mine is his.

But I didn’t think he’d be so shameless.

My mother-in-law knocked, pulling me back to reality.

“Sorry to disturb you, but you have so much food and water...”

I frowned and snapped, “Don’t get any ideas!”

“That’s not what I meant!” She waved her hands, “I have plenty myself.”

“I’ve just noticed Declan acting suspiciously lately, so I didn’t tell him.”

I reflexively defended Declan, “Don’t talk about him like that!”

Then I locked the storage room door with the key.

Declan and I had been together since college. Other than his bad temper, I thought he had no faults.

My mother-in-law opened her mouth, then closed it.

Eventually, she asked, “So why did you send back some of the supplies I gave you yesterday?”

“Bullshit! Besides last night, when did you send me anything?”

I snapped.

“Are you losing your mind, old lady? I sent you stuff the day before yesterday!”

I rolled my eyes at her fake politeness.

My mother-in-law, seeing my disbelief, showed me her SnapChat conversation with the delivery person, from booking to departure. It didn’t look fake.

“The delivery guy almost left with the goods, but Declan stopped him. He said he missed you and wanted to deliver them himself.”

“Shortly after, we received your supplies.”

I clenched my fists, staring at her.

“If you were so kind, why didn’t you send all five gifts?”

Now it was her turn to be shocked.

“I gave everything to Declan! Including your ten thousand!”

“I know you don’t like me, so I thought I’d let him give it to you... He didn’t?”

She showed me the purchase receipt and transfer details.

It was all true.

I deflated like a punctured balloon, slumping onto the couch, unwilling to accept it.

Before I could process it, someone banged on the door.

“Screw you! You’ve got supplies and sell them at high prices?”

“If you’ve got good stuff, share it! Robbery is what this is!”

The stranger pounded so hard it seemed they wanted to break the door.

My mother-in-law and I jumped to our feet, startled, and looked towards the door.

Then Declan's voice came through.

"Hey, buddy, take it easy. How about I sell you a bottle at a discount?"

"I charge others five hundred bucks, but I'll let you have it for three hundred a bottle, okay? I've only got two left, you..."

"You're asking for it!" The sound of fists hitting flesh followed.

Just hearing it made me wince.

"Help! Mom! Phoebe! Open the door and save me!"