Chapter 2

Charles came home late that night.

By the time he walked in, I'd put Ben to sleep. I left the living room light on and waited for him on the couch.

"You're home," I said.

"Yep." Charles hung his coat on the rack without looking at me. "Mom talked to you today, didn't she?"

"She did."

"Did you sign the paper?"

I stared at him.

He stood in the entryway, backlit, his face hard to see. But his tone was casual, like he was talking about the weather.

"Nope," I replied.

He paused. "Why?"

"Charles, that house was left to me by my dad."

He walked over and sat on the opposite couch, finally meeting my eyes.

"I know," he said. "But you're married to me now. We're family. What's yours is mine, and what's mine is yours. Why draw lines?"

"Then give me your payroll debit card."

Charles froze.

"You've never let me manage your money since we got married.

"You said you were investing it. I believed you. You gave me 2 thousand dollars a month for household expenses, and I never complained.

"But you make over 5 thousand a month. Where does the other 3 thousand go?" I asked.

Charles's expression shifted. "What do you mean by that?"

"If we're really family, then act like it. You let me handle your money, and you can handle my house. Would you agree to that?"

He didn't say a word.

But his silence said it all.

"See?" I gave a small laugh. "You won't agree. You think your money is yours, and my house is also yours. That's not family; that's robbery."

Charles's face flushed red. "Don't be so harsh. How can you call it robbery? I'm your husband."

"You're my husband, so Selena can pinch our baby and call me an orphan while I'm recovering from childbirth?"

Charles froze. "My mom pinched Ben?"

"Yeah, she left a red mark on his arm. Go check it yourself."

Charles hesitated, stood up, and walked into the bedroom. A minute later, he came back, looking uneasy. "Maybe it was just an accident."

I shot to my feet, my voice cracking. "She shoved that deed in my face, called me a homeless orphan with a kid to drag around, and deliberately pinched Ben. And you still call it an accident?

"Charles, look me in the eye and tell me. What does Selena really want? Does she want that house, or does she want to destroy me?"

Charles stayed quiet. Then he said something that killed any remaining hope I had.

"Hannah, my mom's old. Don't take it so personally. As for the house, can't you do me a favor?

"David's getting married. But his girlfriend won't marry him without a house. Lend him the house for a few years. It's not like he's gonna keep it forever."

"You call a Deed Without Consideration 'lend'?"

"It's just a formality."

"Charles," I said, my voice ice-cold. "Do you think I'm stupid?"

He stared at me, stunned.

"You think I don't know what you're doing? Because I have no family left, you can snatch my house, drain my savings, and then kick me. Is that your plan?"

Charles turned pale. "Y-You're being ridiculous."

"You know I'm not." I turned and walked into the bedroom, locking the door behind me.

Charles stayed outside for a long time. In the end, he said nothing and left.

That night, I sat alone on the bed, holding Ben close, and spent the whole night thinking things over.

When the sky started to lighten, I made a decision.

I wouldn't cry, yell, or beg.

I would let them destroy themselves.