Chapter 3

3

My mother-in-law came anyway.

She carried the thermal jar and grabbed my hand the second she walked in, acting all concerned.

"Joelle, honey, how are you feeling? Silas told me everything. I was worried sick."

Her eyes were red. She looked sincere.

But I knew this was just the opening act.

Sure enough, after the pleasantries, her tone shifted.

"Silas is just such a stickler for details. He told me you two had a bit of a disagreement over the repair bills?"

I said nothing.

"Joelle, you have to understand him. He has been like this since he was a boy. Everything is by the book. He believes in fairness. This 50-50 thing isn't because he doesn't love you. It is out of respect."

"A woman with her own money is a woman with her own power. He is doing this for your own good."

I had heard this script for five years.

"Ma," I interrupted. "When my dad had surgery last year, I asked Silas for a ten-thousand-dollar loan. He made me sign a contract with 8% interest. Did you know that?"

Her face stiffened.

"Well… isn't that how it should be? Even between family, clear accounts make for long relationships. It prevents resentment."

"Is that so?" I let out a cold laugh. "Then why does he donate fifty thousand dollars a year to a remote scholarship fund without charging a cent of interest?"

"That is different!" Her voice went up an octave. "That is charity! That is building a legacy! That is an investment in social capital!"

"So my father's life isn't worth an investment?"

"How can you be so disrespectful!" She stood up, fuming. "Silas treats you so well! He doesn't nag you about your shopping. He makes more than you and pays the larger share of the mortgage. Have you forgotten that?"

I looked at her calmly.

"The mortgage is $3 million. He pays 60%, and I pay 40%. That is because his name owns 60% of the deed. He calculated that too."

She sputtered, her face turning a deep shade of purple.

Silas stepped in just then, supporting his mother's arm.

"Mom, don't get worked up. Joelle just went through a trauma. She is not thinking clearly."

He turned to me, his brow furrowed.

"Joelle, if you have a problem, take it out on me. Do not talk to my mother like that."

Seeing him protect her felt incredibly ironic.

"Fine."

I pulled my phone from under the pillow and opened a document.

"Silas, this is a divorce agreement drafted by my attorney."

"We have no children. Our assets consist of one house and one car. Everything will be split exactly according to the ownership percentages and contributions. It follows your principles perfectly."

"Review it. If there are no issues, sign it."

The air in the room froze.

The color drained from Silas's face. He stared at me as if I were a stranger.

His mother let out a sharp gasp.

"Divorce?! Joelle, have you lost your mind? What did Silas ever do to deserve this?"

"He did nothing wrong."

I pulled my lips into a pale, thin smile.

"He just never loved me."