Chapter 3

Tyler looked down at his wrist.

He grinned.

"This?"

He intentionally waved his hand.

"It's my watch. Why should I take it off?"

I walked up to him.

"The back is engraved with 'Arthur.' That's my dad's name."

Tyler's eyes flickered with panic for a split second.

But he quickly recovered.

"What a coincidence. I bought this vintage watch used, and it already had an engraving. You can't just claim everything that looks like yours is yours."

Tyler's mother jumped up.

"Are you trying to scam us now? My son can buy whatever he wants. Why would he take your cheap trash?"

I looked at Chloe.

She knew.

She had seen me polish that watch.

She knew how much my dad meant to me.

I asked her, "Are you going to tell the truth?"

Chloe bit her lip, her eyes welling with tears.

But when she spoke, she said, "Ethan, don't drag your dead dad into this. You're being really toxic right now."

I went numb for a second.

Then, a bitter laugh escaped my throat.

"My dad's heirloom is on his wrist, and I'm being toxic?"

Tyler stepped in front of me, lowering his voice.

"Have you had enough?"

I reached out to grab the watch.

He grabbed my wrist instantly. His grip was tight and aggressive.

"Are you trying to rob me?"

I twisted my arm and grabbed him back. "Give it back to me!"

Tyler's mother screamed and lunged forward.

"Get your hands off my son!"

She shoved me hard.

My back slammed into the edge of the dining table. A sharp pain shot up my arm as my elbow cracked against the wood, making my entire left side go numb.

Chloe yelled instantly, "Ethan, stop fighting!"

I looked up at her.

She was standing right behind Tyler, looking at me as if I was the maniac who had broken into their home.

Marcus quickly stepped between us.

"No violence! There are cameras in this building! We can talk this out!"

Tyler shook off my hand and pulled out his phone to call the cops.

He was faster than me.

"Yes, 911? There's a man who broke into my apartment. He's trying to rob me. Yes, it's my girlfriend's crazy ex."

Listening to him twist the truth so effortlessly felt surreal.

He was using my address to report me for breaking into my own home.

I used my backup phone to dial 911 as well.

Tyler's mother was still screaming. "What a nightmare to deal with this loser first thing in the morning. No wonder he has no future."

Tyler's father finally spoke.

"Young man, don't make this ugly. Leave now, and you can still save some face."

I ignored the pain in my arm and turned on my phone camera again.

"Keep talking."

Tyler sneered. "Without proof, stop claiming this is your place. We can sue you for harassment."

I said nothing.

The police arrived quickly.

It was the same two officers from last night.

Tyler immediately greeted them, looking like the perfect, humble victim.

"Officers, he barged in with building security today and tried to rob my watch. My elderly parents are terrified."

Tyler's mother wiped her eyes on cue.

"Yes, Officers. We just came to visit our son's new home, and this man rushed in and started attacking us."

The officer turned to Chloe.

"What's your story?"

Chloe kept her head down.

After a few tense seconds, she said, "The condo belongs to Tyler. Ethan is my ex. He just... couldn't accept the breakup."