Chapter 3

3

I don't know how long I waited, but Jordan finally showed up.

He rubbed his hands together nervously. "Stella, I accidentally dinged it. It's at the shop getting fixed."

I looked at his pathetic acting and shoved my phone in his face. I had pulled up the GPS tracker.

"Jordan."

"Is there a single word that comes out of your mouth that isn't a lie?"

"You gave my car to your brother without saying a single word to me. My parents bought that car for ME."

He immediately scowled as if he were the victim.

"What's that supposed to mean? Isn't my brother your brother too?"

"He just needed it for a bit because his commute is long. It's just a loan."

"If my parents hadn't used his car fund for our wedding, he'd have his own car by now. We owe him this."

His tone was full of resentment.

I couldn't believe my ears.

Even now, he thought the wedding gift was a debt I owed his brother.

The rage made my fingertips tingle.

"He is not my brother!"

"Jordan, I'm saying this for the last time. I want a divorce."

"If I don't see my car tonight, I'm calling the cops tomorrow morning and reporting it stolen."

I didn't wait for his response. I hailed a cab and went straight to my parents' house.

The moment I got there, I let it all out. Every secret, every lie, every dollar he stole from our future.

My mom's eyes turned red. She pulled me into a hug.

"Oh, honey. Why did you carry this for so long?"

Just then, there was a loud knock at the door.

I opened it to find Jordan and his mother standing there.

His mother had a fake, sugary smile plastered on her face.

"Stella, dear, why did you run back here over a little tiff?"

"It's no big deal. Couples fight. I brought Jordan here to apologize."

Jordan tried to grab my hand again.

"Honey, come home. I know I messed up."

I looked at him with pure disgust.

"I told you. We're getting a divorce."

"And I want my car back right now."

Jordan's face twisted. His patience snapped.

"The car, the car! That's all you care about!"

"I didn't realize you were so damn selfish and cold-hearted."

"It's freezing out. Zack needs to get to work. We're the older siblings. Lending him the car is the right thing to do!"

His mother chimed in.

"Exactly, Stella. You and Jordan are successful. Zack isn't."

"Honestly, you don't even drive that car that much. You should just sign the title over to Zack."

"He was looking for a new car anyway. Yours is perfect. It saves him the trouble of shopping."

I was speechless. I had never met people so shameless in my entire life.

Jordan actually nodded, looking like he agreed with her.

"Mom's right."

"Zack said even though it's a few years old, it drives well. You're his sister-in-law; just give it to him."

My father, who had been holding back his temper, couldn't take it anymore.

He lunged forward and landed a solid punch right on Jordan's jaw.

"Get out! You're a bunch of leeches! Get the hell out of my house!"

He slammed the door shut.

We could hear Jordan's mom screaming insults and Jordan grumbling as they walked away.

I leaned against the door, shivering.

My mom wiped her tears, and my dad's face was grim. "Divorce him. We're calling a lawyer tomorrow."