“I’m heading over now,” I said, determination threading through my voice.

The drive to the cottage was a blur, my mind whirring with a mix of disbelief and betrayal. How could they think this was okay? My parents had always been a little self-centered, but this was a new level.

When I arrived, my parents were sitting on the porch, looking like children caught with their hands in the cookie jar. My mother stood as I approached, her expression a mix of guilt and defiance.

“Tessa, sweetheart, we didn’t mean to intrude,” she started.