Chapter 2
"Oh? So what if the family's disgraced? Are we just going to drop everything? Or stop sending Etienne to school?" I gave a noncommittal reply.
"You're so stubborn!" My mother-in-law banged on the table. "Divorce! You must divorce him! Our family can't let a woman of such dubious character into the house, and we can't let a useless daughter-in-law like you keep your place!"
I put down my cutlery and looked at them.
Everyone in the room was glaring at me with righteous indignation, as if I were the one who had done something wrong.
I took out my phone and opened the calculator.
"Mother, Harrison and I have been married ten years. We bought our home after our marriage. It's 1,300 square feet and currently worth 1.3 million on the market. The property deed is in my name. Under the law, we split everything 50-50, so I'm entitled to 650,000."
I turned my phone screen toward them.
"The car was bought after we got married. It's worth 55,000 and is registered in my name, so I'm entitled to 27,000.
"Harrison transfers 6,000 in living expenses to me every month. Etienne's tuition, after-school classes, and the household utilities and property management fees all come out of that. After paying for everything, I still have about 2,500 left over each month. If we get divorced, I'll lose that sum," I explained.
"He'll pay child support. The court will require it," Liona retorted indignantly.
"Yes. Based on his income, he'll pay at most 1,000 a month. What can 1,000 buy? Is that enough to keep Etienne in his current international school or to pay for his piano and horse-riding lessons?
"I work, and I make 4,000 a month. Add the remaining 2,500, and I have 6,500 in disposable income each month. I don't have to put up with anyone's whims or serve anyone. If Harrison doesn't come home, I'll have the peace and quiet I need."
I looked at my mother-in-law.
"Mother, you want me to get a divorce. Fine. We'll sell the house, I'll take 650,000, and I'll move out with Etienne to rent a place. Harrison will take the other 650,000. Will he give it to you? Or will he give it to his mistress?
"We'll sell the car, and I'll take 27,000. Will Harrison give you his 27,000?
"He will have to pay Etienne 1,000 a month in child support. Do you think he'll still give you 1,600 a month for your living expenses?
"Harrison is paying the mortgage on the apartment you're living in now. If he gets divorced and spends all his money on that woman, who's going to pay the mortgage?"
I fired off a string of questions at them.
My mother-in-law's face turned various colors as she listened.
Liona was rendered speechless too.
Manfred picked up his glass awkwardly and took a sip.
I stood up. "If I get a divorce, all I'll accomplish is letting off some steam. I won't gain anything. On the contrary, I'll lose the quality of life I have now.
"Etienne will have to suffer with me too. So why get a divorce?"
I walked over to Etienne and took his hand. "We're full. Mother, Manfred, Liona, please enjoy the rest of your meal."
Holding Etienne's hand, I walked out the front door amid a heavy silence.
Once we were back in the car, Etienne finally asked me in a soft voice, "Mommy, did you have a fight with Grandma?"
I started the car. "No, it's just grown-ups talking."
In the rearview mirror, the lights of my mother-in-law's place faded into the distance.
That was never my family. It was Harrison's.
My real family was just me and Etienne.
My phone buzzed again. It was Harrison.
I was expecting him to call.
That trap set at home was undoubtedly the result of his scheming behind the scenes.
I pulled over to the side of the road, accepted the call, and put it on speakerphone.
"Jillian! What do you think you're doing! What kind of nonsense are you spouting in front of my mom!"
He was so furious that he raised his voice.
"Did I say anything wrong? Which part of my calculations is wrong?" I asked impassively.
"You… you're threatening my mom!" he yelled.
"I'm just stating the facts," I replied.
Etienne sat in the back seat, too scared to make a sound.
I turned off the speakerphone and held the phone to my ear.
"Harrison, you got your family to pressure me into a divorce just so I'd walk away with nothing, leaving the way clear for you to run off with that Nadalie Zorn, didn't you?"
There was a long silence on the other end.
"I'm telling you, it's not going to happen," I stated flatly.
"The house, the car, and our son are all mine. And you'll still have to give me money every month. If you want a divorce, sure. Just give me all the assets, and I'll sign right away."
"Jillian, don't go too far!" he bellowed.
"I'm going too far?" I laughed.
"Harrison, who's the one going too far here? You're the one who's been keeping a mistress outside and not coming home for years. You're the one who told your family to humiliate me. And now you're turning it around and saying I'm the one going too far?
"Let me tell you, I'm the one who decides when this marriage ends. If you want it to end, show me your sincerity."
"What kind of sincerity?" he asked warily.
"Transfer the apartment to my name, transfer the car to my name, and give me 1.5 million dollars in cash. Then I'll divorce you immediately." I gave him my ultimatum.