Chapter 8

I placed the list on the table. "These are the furniture, appliances, soft furnishings, and household items I paid for. You can keep living here, but you'll need to reimburse me for my portion."

Grace's expression shifted.

I set down a second sheet of paper. "And the money from our joint account. Edward used it for your private prenatal care, the maternity nurse, and the hospital deposit. Please sign to acknowledge."

She stared at the two sheets of paper, unmoving. "I don't have any money."

I looked at her. "You have a house."

She looked up sharply. "You checked up on me?"

I pulled out my phone and opened a screenshot of a location she'd posted a few months ago. "You posted a moving note last year, with a location at Riverside Residences.

"Someone in the comments asked if it was your home, and you replied that it was temporarily vacant after your marriage."

Her expression stiffened. "That's the security William left for the baby and me. I can't touch it."

"So, you decided to use mine instead?"

Grace's eyes reddened again. "Olivia, I know you can't stand me right now, but I swear I never meant to take your stuff.

"I was so scared. When William left, I was only four months pregnant. He never even felt the baby move."

She stroked her belly, her voice choked with emotion. "You still have your parents, a job, and seven years of love with Edward. But all I have is this baby."

I looked at her. In the past, whenever she said things like this, I'd stay quiet, thinking it would be too cruel to press her any further.

But I slid the pen across the table to her. "Sign it."

Her tears splashed onto the paper. "Do you really have to force me into this situation?"

"Grace, you're the one who made me stand at the hospital payment desk."

Her fingers froze.

Just then, the sound of a key turning in the lock came from the door. Edward walked in, carrying a thermos.

He hadn't expected to see me, and his steps paused for a second.

Grace jumped up, looking startled. "Edward, don't blame Olivia. She wants me to pay her back."

Edward's face darkened when he saw the list on the table. "Olivia, are you really here to hash this out with her right now?"

I looked up. "Can't we settle this now?"

"She's back from the hospital. The doctor said she needs bed rest," Edward said.

"So, she needs to rest, and that means I don't get my money back?" I shot back.

Edward set the thermos down on the table, his voice low. "I'll pay you back."

"When exactly?"

"I told you, tomorrow."

"You said that yesterday, too."

His face flushed with embarrassment.

Grace tugged at his sleeve. "Edward, forget it. I'll sign. Olivia's right. I shouldn't have moved in, and I shouldn't have used your money."

She picked up the pen, but her hand was trembling uncontrollably.

The next second, she suddenly clutched her stomach and took a step back. "It hurts."

Edward's face went pale in an instant. "Grace!"

Grace's knees buckled, and she stumbled toward the sofa.

Edward rushed over and caught her in time.

She leaned into his arms, tears streaming down her face. "I'm fine. Please don't be harsh with Olivia. She's really upset."

I stood by the coffee table, watching as she clung to Edward's sleeve with one hand, while the other still pressed down on the list.

The paper was crumpled under her fingers.

Edward looked up at me. "What did you say to her?"

"I told her to sign," I replied.

"She's pregnant!"

"So, being pregnant means she can spend my money?"

Edward's face was dark. "Do you really have to push her right now? She bled yesterday. Didn't you know?"

"My dad was in the hospital yesterday, too. Did you know that?"

He swallowed hard. "I know. That's why I sent you the money."

"15,000 dollars," I said. "Edward, you paid 20,000 dollars for Grace's maternity nurse deposit."

Grace's crying stopped abruptly.

Edward looked rattled. "That was..."

"That was for William's baby," I cut him off.

He closed his eyes, like he was at his limit. "Olivia, I barely recognize you anymore."

I looked at him. That was rich.

I didn't scream, didn't throw a punch, didn't rant online, didn't put him and Grace on blast for everyone to hate.

I showed up with a list, asking to get my money back. And he called me the stranger.

Grace was sobbing softly. "Edward, can you help me to my room? I really can't stand up right now."

Edward helped her toward the master bedroom. As he passed by me, he paused. "You should go home. I'll handle the money. We'll talk about the house once Grace is stable."

I asked, "What if she never gets better?"

His brow furrowed. "Do you have to be so aggressive?"

I didn't say another word. I picked up the list from the table and ripped it up, one by one.

The sound of tearing paper made Grace turn to look at me. Her eyes were still wet with tears, but her face froze for a second.

I tossed the scraps into the trash. "Edward, whatever you owe me, I'll make sure I get it back myself."

His expression shifted. "What do you mean?"

I didn't answer.

As I walked to the entryway, I spotted a set of keys on the shoe cabinet. It was the spare key to our place.

The keychain was a little dolphin. Edward and I bought it last year when we went to the beach.

There was a sticky note next to the keys: [For Grace to use when she goes out for her check-up.]

I picked up the keys, took off the dolphin keychain, and put it in my bag.

Edward came after me. "Olivia, don't make this messier than it already is."

I turned to look at him. "Am I really the one making this a mess?"

He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.