Chapter 2

I grabbed my calculator and double-checked the numbers. 1,000 dollars minus 983 dollars leaves 17.

So in the end, I only needed to shell out 17 bucks a month.

I nodded, satisfied, and started packing up my stuff.

If we were going Dutch, then everything I invested in this house would come with me.

After a whole day of packing, I boxed up everything that was mine and called the movers.

At six that evening, David walked in the door.

He opened the door and stood frozen in shock. "Emily, what are you doing?"

"Packing up, obviously," I said, sitting on the last chair left in the place. "Since you want to split everything, I'm taking what's mine."

David looked around at the empty house, his face falling. "Are you out of your mind? This is our marital home."

"Actually, it's your house," I corrected him. "The deed's got your name on it, so I'm a tenant here. And tenants get to take their stuff when they leave."

"Emily, stop being ridiculous."

"I'm not being ridiculous," I said, pulling out my phone. "I've invested 272,000 dollars in this place. At the bank's interest rate, you owe me 983 dollars a month for the privilege of using my money.

"Take off the 1,000 for living expenses, and you only owe me 17 bucks."

David's face darkened even more. "What are you talking about?"

"Just what it means," I shot back, copying his tone from this morning. "If we're going Dutch, let's settle it for real. My money doesn't grow on trees. If you're using it, you pay interest."

"You're twisting things."

"Twisting things?" I shot back, rising to my feet. "David, you're the one who wanted to go Dutch. If you want to keep score, let's make it crystal clear."

I pulled out the agreement. "Take a good look. This is your handwriting. It says right here we're supposed to keep our finances independent. So if we're splitting everything, I'm reclaiming everything I invested."

David stared at me, completely speechless.

"And another thing." I continued. "I've only been here for less than a day, but I put 80,000 dollars into the renovations and furniture.

"At the market rate, this place without any upgrades would rent for maybe 1,300 dollars a month. With my investment, it could easily rent for 2,700 dollars. That 1,400-dollar difference? That's my payback."

"You're just..."

"What's wrong, Mr. Carter? Not a fan of my numbers?" I said with a grin. "So, how would you like to split things up?"

David's face turned bright red, and he stood there, pointing at me, unable to get a word out.

The doorbell rang. It was the moving guys. "Hey, everything's loaded up. We're good to go."

"Thanks." I grabbed my bag and headed for the door.

"Emily, stop right there." David finally snapped. "If you walk out that door, we're getting divorced."

I stopped and turned to look at him. "No problem. But if we get divorced, we split everything. The house might have your name on it, but I paid for half the renovations and furniture.

"Divorce law says I get my share of the profit from all the upgrades."

David's face went completely pale.

I kept going, "And don't forget the wedding costs. My family spent 60,000 dollars more than yours. You owe me that, too."

"You!"

"What's wrong, Mr. Carter? Can't even do the math?" I said with a smile. "Let me break it down for you. That's 78,000 dollars total. With interest, it's almost 80,000 dollars. Transfer it to me now, and we'll head straight to the courthouse."

David was completely speechless.

I grabbed my bag and walked out of the home I once looked forward to with so much hope.

I moved in with Sophie.

"Emily, you totally owned him," Sophie said, helping me unpack and practically bouncing with excitement. "You should've seen David's face. It must've been priceless."

"It wasn't that dramatic," I said, hanging up my clothes. "I was playing by his rules."

"What rules? He's taking advantage of you." Sophie fumed. "Splitting the bills on your second day of marriage? Why even bother with a guy like that?"

I gave a wry smile and shook my head.

Honestly, I never saw this coming.