THE BAIT
I had lived alone for the past seven years, ever since my daughter-in-law moved to the city. The house felt too quiet after my son’s death. I still heard his laughter sometimes when the wind rattled the old windows. He’d been a good man, hardworking and honest.
I worked till I was seventy, fixing engines, saving every penny, helping my daughter-in-law raise the boy. I paid for his school, his college, even his first car. I wanted him to have a better start than I ever did.
The house felt too quiet after my son’s death.
Yet somehow, I raised a young man who thought the world owed him everything.
Ethan had charm—oh, he knew how to smile when he wanted something. But the moment I said no, he vanished. The last time I saw him, he needed money to “start a business.” I gave it to him, of course. He said he’d pay me back in a month. That was five years ago.
He’d been expelled from college, quit every job after a few weeks, and still blamed “bad luck.” I knew what it really was—laziness dressed up as excuses.
Ethan had charm—oh, he knew how to smile when he wanted something.