Chapter 43: Revenge Part 2

Ethan walked into the house, carrying several shopping bags filled with clothes for his mother. His mother, a stern woman with a sharp tongue, looked up from her knitting as he entered the room.

"Ah, Ethan, you're back," she said, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the bags. "What have you brought me this time?"

Ethan smiled and handed her the bags. "Just a few things I thought you might like, Mother," he said.

His mother rummaged through the bags, pulling out dresses and blouses and holding them up against herself. "Oh, these are lovely, Ethan," she said, her voice filled with genuine delight. "You always know just what I like."

Ethan felt a twinge of guilt at the lie he was about to tell, but he pushed it aside. He needed to keep his mother happy, and if that meant lying to her, then so be it.

"Where's Amelia?" his mother asked suddenly, looking up from the clothes. "I haven't seen her in a while."

Ethan hesitated for a moment before answering. "She's on vacation, Mother," he said