No 70% for the Greedy

Synopsis

"Hand over 70% of your salary every month. That's the rule in our family," My husband's mother, Lucia Shaw, said, pushing the bank card toward me. Her husband, James Shaw, holding his cup, added slowly, "If you don't agree, move out. We don't support freeloaders in this house." I glanced at my husband, Michael Shaw, who was silent beside me. He shot me a look, signaling me to go along with it. I smiled, didn't say a word, and went back to my room to start packing my clothes. Lucia got more fired up. "Oh, so she has got backbone now? She'll be in for a rude awakening when she sees how much rent costs out there." The next morning, I dragged my suitcase out the door without looking back. Half an hour later, I slid the key into the lock of my new place, a 1,800-square-foot apartment the company had assigned me, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, luxury finishes, and a stunning river view.