Chapter 2
I didn't get home until 8:30 that night.
As soon as I walked in, I saw the whole family sitting in the living room, the TV on but nobody watching.
Frank was in his usual spot, Diane next to him peeling an apple, and Eric was sitting across from them.
It was obvious they were all waiting for me.
"You're back?" Frank sounded annoyed. "Sit down."
I slipped off my shoes and stayed standing by the door, refusing to take a seat.
"Just get to the point, I've had a long day," I said.
Frank set his teacup down on the table. "So, tell me, how much do you make every month?"
I didn't answer.
"Eric says you make more than he does. So, exactly how much?" he pressed.
Eric avoided my gaze.
"Frank, that's none of your business," I said.
"How is it not my business? We're family, no secrets. Since you earn more, you should pitch in more. I've got Eric's card, so hand yours over too. I'll handle all the finances," he said.
I couldn't help but laugh.
"Frank, I married Eric. I didn't marry this whole household, and I'm not here to be anyone's personal ATM," I said.
Diane froze, the apple peeler still in her hand.
"What did you just say?" she asked.
"I said, I'm not giving you my paycheck," I replied.
Frank stood up.
"What's with that attitude? Being married into the Chambers family means you're one of us!" he snapped.
I turned to Eric.
"What do you think?" I asked.
Eric hesitated, then finally muttered, "Just hand it over for now, okay? It's not like they're gonna stop you from spending it"
I fixed my gaze on him for five seconds, not saying a word.
"Eric, is this really what you want?" I asked, my voice cold.
He couldn't meet my eyes, and he looked away.
I turned and went back to my bedroom, pulled out some paperwork, and set it down on the coffee table.
"What's this?" Diane leaned over for a closer look.
"It's our property notarization from before the wedding, plus the purchase contract for the apartment under my name. I paid the 200 thousand dollar down payment myself, and covered the mortgage all on my own. Eric didn't contribute a single cent," I said.
The living room went dead silent.
Frank's hands were trembling.
"You... you've been wary of us from the start?" he stammered.
"It's not about being defensive, it's just self-protection," I replied.
I grabbed my bag and headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" Diane called out.
"I'm going back to my own place," I replied.
Just as the door clicked shut behind me, I heard Diane's voice.
"Eric! Are you just going to stand there and let her walk out?"
*****
My apartment was on the east side of the city, a cozy one-bedroom place, about 600 square feet.
It was small, but clean and quiet, and no one would ever push open my door.
Sitting on the couch, I texted my bestie, Sophie Monroe: [I've moved out of the Chambers family.]
Three seconds later, she called me.
"Finally. I've been waiting for this day for three years!" Sophie exclaimed.
"It's not as dramatic as you make it sound," I said.
She said, "Not dramatic? For three years you've been up at 5:30 every morning making breakfast, then coming home from work to make dinner, wash the dishes, mop the floors, and do the laundry.
"You pull in 10,300 dollars a month and you live like unpaid help.
"Do you even know what people at work say about you? They all think Ms. Sutton must be living like a rich housewife at home."
I didn't say anything.
"So, what did your husband say?" Sophie asked.
"What do you think? His mom called me seventeen times, and all he sent was a text. He said, 'Stop causing drama and just come home,'" I said.
"Drama? He actually called it that?" Sophie repeated, incredulous.
"Yeah, that's the exact word he used," I replied.
Sophie went quiet for a couple of seconds. "Claire, just divorce him."
"I'll think about it," I said.
"Think about what? Are you waiting for him to come crawling back? He wouldn't even bother to knock on your door," Sophie said.
After hanging up, I opened the fridge. It was completely empty.
I ordered some takeout and ate it alone at the dining table.
Eric's last message was still sitting there: [Stop causing drama.]
I didn't bother to reply.
The next morning, Monday, my alarm went off at 7 a.m.
No more dragging myself out of bed at 5:30.
No more prepping breakfast, making porridge, or steaming eggs.
No more taking care of a family of four.
I got up as soon as the alarm went off. I washed up, did my makeup, and slipped into a brand-new black blazer.
The woman in the mirror looked a lot more refreshed, like she'd finally come back to life.
By 9 a.m., I was at the office, and David was already waiting for me.
"Summit Dynamics is pushing us, video conference at 2 p.m. today. They want to see the initial proposal framework," he said.
"No problem, I already put together a draft last night," I said.
He shot me a look. "Last night? You were working overtime on Sunday?"
I smiled, "It's not like I had anything better to do."