Victoria gasped for air as she held onto the pool tile edge.
Tears mixed with pool water as they rolled down her pale wrinkled cheeks.
Victoria: Please help me up right now!
Chloe: You really thought Ethan would choose you over me?
Victoria: He is my son!
Chloe: After the wedding, this house becomes mine.
Chloe: Nobody believes an old woman whose memory is failing.
Ethan stood completely still in the shadow of the wall corner.
His hands curled into tight fists at his sides with fierce anger.
The words coming from Chloe echoed loudly inside his quiet mind.
He could not believe this was the same woman he trusted.
Chloe had always been so sweet and kind during their romantic dates.
She had treated his mother like family whenever Ethan was around.
Now her true heart was showing clear under the bright blue sky.
She wanted his money, his family home, and his private estate.
She was using his mother's age against her to take control.
Victoria had suffered small memory issues over the past two years.
Chloe was planning to lock his mother away in a nursing facility.
Ethan felt an overwhelming wave of regret for ignoring past subtle warning signs.
He remembered small comments Chloe had made about his mother's large inheritance.
She had asked detailed questions about the house title and trust fund.
At the time, he thought she was just planning their grand future.
Now the horrible truth was plain to see in broad daylight.
Victoria sobbed as she reached up toward the cold stone edge.
Her strength was fading fast in the deep water of the pool.
Chloe just laughed softly and took a step back toward the lounge.
She was going to let his fragile mother suffer for her own gain.
Ethan felt a fiery rage spark deep inside his wounded chest.
He was not going to hide behind the wall for another second.
He stepped out into the bright light with a firm steady stride.
His eyes locked directly onto his cold smirking bride-to-be.