Chapter 3
The video conference went off without a hitch, and Richard was clearly impressed with my proposal framework.
"Ms. Sutton, your angle matches exactly what we were thinking on our end. You clearly put in the work," Richard said.
"You're too kind, Richard. We'll sync up on the details later," I replied.
David shot me a thumbs-up as soon as the video call ended.
"Claire, this project is locked in. I'll fight to get you the top bonus at the end of the year," he said.
I nodded and headed back to my desk to pack up and get ready to leave.
My phone rang.
It wasn't Eric.
It was Diane.
"Claire, Frank's blood pressure has been through the roof these past couple of days. When are you coming back home?" she pressed.
"Diane, if he needs to go to the hospital, I can help book an appointment," I replied.
"No, that's not what I meant, and I want you to move back in. Frank said we can reconsider the whole salary card thing," she said.
"What do you mean by reconsider?" I asked.
"I mean you could just give them half your paycheck, and keep the other half for yourself," she said.
I rubbed my temples, feeling exasperated.
"Diane, I'm not handing over a single dollar. That's not up for discussion," I said.
Frank's voice came through the phone. "Fine, let her keep her money. Let's see who gives in first!"
The call ended abruptly.
That night, Eric finally called.
"Claire, what do you want?" he asked.
"What do I want? Give the salary card back, and keep your family's business away from my money. Do that and I'll come back any time," I said.
"But my dad says all the family money should be handled together," Eric started.
"Eric, you're thirty. Do you really think it's normal for a grown man to let his dad hold onto his paycheck?" I cut him off.
He didn't say a word.
"If that's normal to you, then we're done here," I said.
I hung up.
*****
By the fifth day after moving out, my life looked totally different.
I'd wake up at 7 a.m., go for a half-hour run, shower, do my makeup, and head out. Lunch was with coworkers, and after working overtime until seven or eight, I'd either order takeout or just throw together some pasta for myself.
My dark circles were fading, my skin looked so much better, and even my coworkers started asking, "Ms. Sutton, did you start using some new skincare products lately?"
I hadn't switched skincare products.
I just didn't have to drag myself out of bed at 5:30 every morning to cater to Frank and Diane anymore.
On Wednesday afternoon, Ava came running over. "Claire, there's someone downstairs looking for you. He says he's your husband."
I paused, a bit stunned.
I headed downstairs and found Eric in the lobby, wearing his old, washed-out gray hoodie and holding a bag of fruit.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Mmom asked me to drop off some fruit for you," he said.
I glanced at the bag, just a regular grocery bag with a couple apples and bananas inside.
"Is that all?" I asked.
"Claire," he said, stepping closer. "Come back home. I talked to my dad, and he won't ask for your salary card anymore."
"And what about your paycheck?" I asked.
Eric froze.
"Mine... my dad said he's still keeping it," he said quietly.
"So you didn't come here because you think any of this is wrong. You came because your father told you to bring me back so I'd cook for your family again," I said.
The look on Eric's face told me I was spot on.
"Eric, when you can make a decision for yourself, and not because your father told you to, then come find me," I said.
With that, I turned and walked back into the office.
In the elevator, I glanced at my reflection, my lipstick was flawless, my hair tidy, and my posture straight and confident.
Suddenly, I realized these past three years, I'd just been playing a part in someone else's story.