Chapter 3

The next morning, Andrew came home reeking of cheap cologne and booze, his face lit up with excitement.

He grabbed my hand, his eyes practically glowing with greed.

"Lisa, your brother's gonna get at least three million from that old house back in Carterville," he blurted out.

I put on a look of disbelief and shook my head. "Don't buy into those rumors. Bryce already told me it's nowhere near that much."

Andrew gave me a look like I was clueless and explained, "Just the household registration isn't worth much. It's the size of the house and everything that really adds up."

I put on a confused look, and for once, Andrew actually tried to explain things patiently.

But honestly, I couldn't care less. After all that time I spent figuring out how to play him, I wasn't about to listen to his nonsense.

I cut him off with a wave of my hand. "Why should I care about all that? It's none of my business. Hearing about it just makes me jealous anyway.

"Honestly, all I want is to live a good life with you."

Andrew's eyes practically sparkled with excitement.

He clapped me on the shoulder. "Of course this is your business!

"I looked into it. If you live there, you'll get a cut of the house money and the extra cash for headcount!"

Seeing the greed in his eyes, I pretended to get excited too. "Really? Then I... I'll talk to Bryce right now. He's always looked out for me. He'll definitely agree."

But Andrew just stared at me like I was clueless.

He asked, "Bryce might be on board, but what if Laura isn't?

"Besides, you've moved out for so many years, it's not like you can just move it back in without a good reason, right?"

He was not as clueless as I thought. Guess his so-called buddy really would sell him out for a bit of cash.

Andrew leaned in and whispered, "Let's pretend to have a huge blowout and fake a divorce. Your brother would have no choice but to take you in if you had nowhere else to go. Even if Laura tries to make a fuss, she won't have a leg to stand on."

"If she dares say no, the whole village would drown her in gossip."

Inside, I couldn't help but sneer. He was moving even faster than I would have.

It looked like he'd been plotting this for a while.

But to make it look real, I hesitated and said, "Come on, we can't just get divorced like it's nothing.

"Wait, is this some dirty trick just so you can get rid of me?"

Tears welled up in my eyes as I pinched my thigh for effect.

I snapped, "Andrew, let me tell you. Even if I haven't made a dime all these years, at least I kept this place sparkling clean.

"Anyone who knows us says I'm a model wife.

"Are you cheating on me? All this talk about the compensation is just a cover, right? You just want to kick me to the curb."

I dropped to the floor, sobbing loudly, "Andrew, how could you be so heartless!"

Andrew stared down at me, frowning as I made a scene on the floor.

"Shh! Keep it down. Stop yelling, will you? I'm not cheating on you. It's all for us, for our life together," he said.

He hurried over, trying to cover my mouth.

Seeing that, I instantly shut up, acting all obedient.

I was just worried his nasty hand might actually touch me.

Andrew rushed to explain, "It's just a fake divorce, okay? We'll go to the registry office and sign the papers, but in my heart, you'll always be my one and only wife, you get that?"

I looked at him like he was a total scumbag.

I sniffled, my voice shaky. "Yeah, just the two of us know. But if you ever decide not to get back together, I'll have to swallow it like a fool."

I gave him a pitiful, teary-eyed look.

Andrew snapped, "We've been together for years. Don't you trust me, even a little?

"Your family's house is getting torn down. Do you have any idea how much compensation you'll get?

"Even if it's just 300,000, that's more than I'd make in years.

"If we really get that money, I'll spoil you rotten. If I don't, I'm not even human!"

He raised his right hand, swearing to the sky.

He looked just like that time he swore up and down he'd never mess around again.

Honestly, he was not even a real man in my eyes ages ago.

I shot him a suspicious look, acting all unsure.

My fingers kept fidgeting with the hem of my shirt.

"But I still feel uneasy... What if you really dump me? Who can be my witness?

"Andrew, you know I've been counting on you all these years. Deep down, I'm still worried."

I let go of my shirt and said, sounding determined, "Even if you walked out with nothing, I'd still be a nervous wreck."

After my words, the look of disgust in Andrew's eyes instantly melted away, replaced by a flash of excitement.