Ditching the In-Laws: My Two-Million-Dollar Single Life

Synopsis

I was stirring a seafood chowder for sixteen of my in-laws when Andrew pushed open the kitchen door, clutching a glass of Cabernet. "Susan, right after Christmas, let's head down to City Hall and sign the papers," he said. The lobster tail in the pot swirled through the froth, steam clouding my face. From the living room, Margaret's booming laugh rattled the drywall. I turned around, my apron smeared with grease from picking crab meat. "Okay," I said. Andrew clearly hadn't expected me to fold so fast. His wine glass hovered in mid-air. "You aren't even going to ask why?" he asked. I untied my apron, folded it into a tight square, and set it on the counter. "Andrew, I've spent four straight days preparing your family's Christmas Eve feast—prime rib, lamb, seafood, sides, dessert, wine, everything. And I was up at five this morning making that artisanal bone broth your mom insisted on," I said. I locked eyes with him. "I'm done," I added. He opened his mouth, ready to bluster or scramble for some face-saving excuse. I didn't give him the chance. I shoved past the kitchen door and walked out.