Chapter 4
Over the next few days, I enjoyed a level of chill I'd never experienced before.
I spent the whole day scrubbing the old, dusty house from top to bottom until it was spotless.
Sunlight streamed through the freshly cleaned windows, spilling onto the yellowed walls, making everything feel warm and alive.
I headed to the market and picked up some groceries.
It had been ages since I'd cooked for myself.
At Edward's place, I wasn't even allowed in the kitchen. Bella always thought I was just in the way and worried I'd dirty her custom cabinets that cost tens of thousands.
I made myself dinner and poured a glass of wine.
The food was tender and flavorful, and the wine was smooth and rich.
I ate that meal with a sense of peace and contentment I hadn't felt in ages.
The next day, I called up a few old pals who'd retired, and we planned a fishing trip out in the countryside.
John came along as well.
We set up our rods by the reservoir, chatting away and enjoying the peaceful lakeside view.
I told them everything that had gone down.
My buddies were all up in arms, totally pissed off for me.
One of them said, "Richard, you're way too soft. If I were you, I'd have put Bella in her place a long time ago."
Another said, "For real. With a monthly pension of almost 10 thousand, I'd be living it up in five-star hotels every day. No way I'd let her tell me what to do."
John clapped me on the shoulder and handed me a document.
He said, "Richard, here's your declaration of property independence, all notarized and ready. Plus, I checked the deed for that big house; your name's the only one on it.
"They can't sell it, and they don't even have the right to stay there. You can kick them out anytime you want.
"Your son's a lost cause, man. This time, you gotta be ruthless and make them taste some real hardship. Otherwise, they'll never learn their place."
I nodded, feeling a surge of confidence.
While I was enjoying my carefree days, Bella was just starting to scramble.
After that day, Bella's calls just wouldn't stop.
The first call was about my salary card. She went to the bank, only to find out I'd already reported it lost and gotten a new one.
She called me, absolutely furious, and started yelling the second I picked up.
She screamed, "Richard, you old jerk. How dare you report the card lost? Are you trying to starve our whole family? I'm telling you, you'd better bring me the new card right now, or I'm not letting this go."
I didn't say a word. I just hung up and blocked her number.
Right after that, my WhatsApp started blowing up.
It was Edward.
He messaged: [Dad, why did you report the card lost? We're almost out of money for groceries, and Hank's tutoring fee is due.
[Dad, don't be mad. You know how Bella is. She's always got that temper. Just ignore her, okay?
[Dad, where are you? Come home, please. I'll talk to Bella and get her to apologize to you.]
Edward's tone was so weak, just full of excuses, as he tried to dodge any real responsibility.
I replied: [You guys are adults now. Time to learn how to take care of yourselves.]
And then I blocked him, too.
Without me as their walking ATM, their money problems showed up real quick.
Bella, who was used to spending money like it was nothing, went to the supermarket, stared at the beef that cost dozens of dollars per pound, and after hesitating forever, just couldn't bring herself to buy it.
When she got home, she blew up at Edward, calling him useless and saying his pathetic paycheck couldn't even keep his own family afloat.
For the first time, Edward finally talked back, saying that if she wasn't constantly funneling cash to her folks, they wouldn't be flat broke.
Arguing became the new normal in their lives.
But the real nightmare was still waiting for them.
A few days later, Bella got a collection call from the bank about the overdue mortgage.
The caller said, "Hi, are you a relative of Edward? We are contacting you regarding Edward's mortgage. The payment for his property is overdue this month. Please handle this matter promptly to avoid damage to his credit rating."
Bella froze, holding the phone, totally stunned.
That was when it finally hit her: I was really serious this time.
She started to panic, totally freaking out.
She figured I was just having one of my moods like before—staying out for a few days—and that once she called to "soothe" me, I'd hand over the salary card without a fuss.
She even started ranting about me in her family group chat, calling me a heartless old man and saying I'd turn my back on my own kin for a bit of cash.
Her relatives piled on, stirring things up, saying someone like me ought to be sent straight to a nursing home.
What none of them realized was that a storm was quietly brewing, one that was about to flip their whole world upside down.
And the fuse for that storm was Hank, the one they'd spoiled so much.