Chapter 6

I was stunned at Karina's words. "What kind of investment are you talking about?"

"The baby." Her mouth twisted into something that wasn't quite a smile. "Isn't that what this is? Your long-term investment?

"You put in half the effort now and hope for a full return later. You want someone to take care of you when you're old."

My chest tightened. "Is that really what you think of me?"

"Isn't it?" Her voice stayed calm. "You track every dollar between us. Every single one.

"You treat marriage like a business deal and our child like a project.

"You never give anything without expecting something back. Michael, have you ever actually loved me?"

She held my eyes as she asked, waiting.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

Love? That word felt foreign and abstract, like something from another language.

I believed in fair exchange.

I gave her stability. I provided her with a good life and a solid marriage. In return, she gave me companionship, children, and a family.

Wasn't that fair?

"See?" A tear slipped down her cheek. She laughed. "You can't even say it. Because in your heart, there's no such thing as love. Only cost and benefit."

I hated the tears. They made me uncomfortable, made me feel like the bad guy.

"I'm not having this conversation." I stood up, grabbed my jacket. "I've done my part for this family. That's what matters."

"Your half," she said quietly.

"Yes. My half." I didn't hesitate. "I've stuck to my rules. That's all that matters."

I stormed out, slamming the door. In the elevator, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror: sharp suit, good looks, the picture of success.

My life was a system I'd built from the ground up. It was carefully engineered. There were no errors allowed.

Karina was the one trying to introduce errors. I couldn't let her.

*****

When I got to the office, my mom called again. "Michael, I've got some news. I'm retiring next month."

"Congratulations."

"Your father and I talked. Once I'm retired, I'll come help with Karina."

I frowned. "That's not necessary."

"Not necessary? She's pregnant. There's no one there to help her. How is that okay?"

"She has me," I replied.

"You?" She laughed. "You can't even make your own dinner. She has to cook for you." My mom didn't mince words. She knew what I was like.

"Mom. This is between Karina and me. Stay out of it."

"I'm worried about my grandchild."

"Where would you stay? What about meals? Expenses? Have you thought about any of that?"

"I'd stay in your guest room. You think I'd charge you?"

My voice stayed flat. "If you move in, you'd be using our utilities and eating our food. Those are costs.

"In this house, if someone else joins the household, the budget needs adjusting. So who covers those extra costs? You? Me? Karina?"

My mom went silent for a moment. "Michael. Have you lost your mind? I'm your mother."

"Exactly. That's why I don't want money to come between us." I kept my tone reasonable. "This is the best way. Boundaries keep relationships clean."

I hung up before she could respond.

I leaned back in my chair and exhaled. Another problem solved.

*****

That afternoon, I got a delivery notification. There was a package for me from Karina.

I found it a bit odd. She was at home, so why would she send me something through a courier?

After work, I picked it up. It was a small cardboard box. It felt light.

Back in my car, I opened it. Inside was a ring, my wedding ring. Underneath the ring was a note.

Her handwriting was neat and clear. [This ring was bought by you when we got married. It's your pre-marital property. I was having it temporarily. Now I'm returning it to its owner.]

[Also, about your mother coming to take care of me, I agree. But I'll pay her full salary as a postpartum caretaker. We'll sign a formal employment contract.]