Just a little longer. Once Dad leaves, I'll deal with them.

"Edgar, this is the last time!"

A flicker of triumph crossed his eyes.

"Yes, yes, yes. I knew my wife was the best."

Looking at that shameless grin, my stomach turned. But I forced myself to swallow it down and said:

"But I have conditions. My dad stays here tonight."

"And your mother does not bring her card-playing friends to this house!"

Edgar agreed without a second's hesitation.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it."

"You just take Dad out for a nice dinner. By the time you two get back, I guarantee he'll have somewhere to sleep!"

He sounded so sure of himself. I didn't believe a word of it.

On my way out, I could already hear him arguing with his mother.

She was pulling the same old routine, throwing a tantrum and twisting everything around.

Wailing at the top of her lungs: "My own son picks his wife over his mother!"

Edgar, who had seemed so resolute a minute ago, was already softening, his voice dropping to a coaxing murmur.

I glanced back at them, let out a cold laugh, and shut the door.

Fine. This was his last chance.

If he couldn't figure out how to keep his word, he had no one to blame but himself.