Chapter 2

My voice was calm, but every word was crystal clear. "I've been cooking for five days.

"Five days, fifteen meals for six people. I did all the shopping, all the cooking, all the cleaning. You wanted to split everything down the middle, and I respected that. So when are you going to pay me back for these five days of meals?"

Edward's face flushed red.

Amelia was standing by the living room door. "Susan, do we really have to nickel-and-dime each other as a family?"

I stood up. "Amelia, Edward's the one who wanted to split everything fifty-fifty. If we're splitting, then let's split everything."

Amelia looked over at Edward.

Edward stayed silent.

Emily came out of the room holding Leo, probably having heard the noise. "Susan, do you have a problem with us staying here?"

"No problem," I said, meeting her eyes. "You can stay, but you cover your own living costs."

Emily's expression changed. "I'm separated from my husband right now. I don't have any income."

"That's your issue. Go ask Edward or your husband, but don't come to me," I replied.

"Susan, that's enough." Edward stood up.

"That won't change anything." I grabbed my bag, walked into the bedroom, and locked the door behind me.

There was some arguing outside the door for a while.

Edward knocked a few times, but I didn't open up.

After about half an hour, things finally calmed down.

I leaned against the headboard and scrolled through my phone.

My studio partner, Chloe, messaged me: [The client for that commercial real estate decor project wants to meet the day after tomorrow.]

I replied: [Okay.]

If we landed this project, the design fee would be 400 thousand dollars.

My cut would be 200 thousand.

I never told Edward about the studio. Honestly, he never bothered to ask.

In his eyes, I was only a small-time designer with shaky income, running a tiny studio that barely made any money.

That was his confidence in bringing up the idea of splitting everything. He figured he made more, so going fifty-fifty meant he didn't have to pick up the slack for me anymore.

He had no clue that for the past three years, I was the one actually covering for him.

The next morning, I headed out for work like usual.

I skipped making breakfast.

At noon, Amelia rang me again. "Susan, the fridge is empty. Could you grab some groceries after work?"

"Amelia, I'm working overtime today, so I probably won't have time. Maybe Edward can pick them up after work?" I replied.

She went quiet for a few seconds.

"Edward's busy. He doesn't have time to buy groceries," she said.

"Then you can order some takeout. It's super convenient," I replied.

I hung up.

At three in the afternoon, Edward texted me.

Edward: [Seriously? Mom said the fridge is empty, and you're ignoring it?]

I replied: [We're doing the fifty-fifty thing. You cover your family's food expenses. Buy groceries and have Amelia cook, or order takeout. Up to you.]

Edward: [You're being petty.]

I didn't reply.

That night, I worked overtime at the studio until nine. When I got home, I saw two takeout containers on the table.

A bunch of food was left, and the table was covered in grease. No one tried to clean up.

I headed to the kitchen, cooked up pasta for myself, ate, and washed my own dish.

I left the takeout boxes and greasy mess in the living room alone.

By the third day, Edward couldn't take it anymore. "Susan, what do you want from me?"

"Nothing. You wanted to go fifty-fifty, so that's what I'm doing," I replied.

"Going fifty-fifty is supposed to be between us. My parents and Emily are only here for a few days."

"A few days? You said 'for a while.' How long is 'a while,' Edward? A week? A month? Half a year?"

He was left speechless.

I stared him down. "And did you ever ask me before moving them in?"

"They're my parents. Why should I need your permission to let them stay?" he fired back.

"This house is in both our names. I paid 200 thousand for the down payment, and you paid 120 thousand. We split the mortgage. If you want to bring people in, you need to ask me."

"You—"

"Edward, either you drop this whole fifty-fifty thing and let me handle the bills like before, and stop talking about fairness. Or you stick to it, and you pay for your family, and I only pay for myself."

He stared at me, eyes locked on mine.

"Pick one," I said.

He didn't choose. He stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Amelia was standing in the hallway, having heard everything.

She walked over, her tone softening. "Susan, I know you're feeling wronged. Edward doesn't think things through sometimes.

"This whole fifty-fifty thing is silly. Family shouldn't split things like strangers. We'll only stay for a couple of days."

"Amelia, don't say that. You can stay as long as you want." My voice was calm. "We need to make things clear, or else nobody's going to feel comfortable."

Amelia sighed and didn't say anything else.

But on the fourth day, they still hadn't left.

And on the fifth day, they were still there.

Emily scattered Leo's toys all over the balcony and living room, used my hangers to dry her and Leo's clothes, and pushed my shirts into a corner.

When I got home and saw it, I didn't say a word.

I grabbed my shirts, took them into the bedroom, and hung them up by the window.

Then I pulled out my phone, ordered a floor-standing clothes rack, and had it delivered to the studio.

From now on, I'd do my laundry and hang my clothes at the studio.

Edward started to notice I was deliberately spending less and less time at home.

I was out early and back late.

Even on weekends, I was at the studio.

In the fridge, I only kept my own food, like yogurt, sandwiches, and fruit. All of it was packed in a separate bag with a sticky note that said Susan.