Chapter 3

3

Maybe it was Landon's promotion.

They credited it all to his "talent."

A talented son and a poor daughter-in-law? In their minds, we weren't a match.

That explained the drama tonight.

They didn't want the car because they didn't think I deserved nice things.

Also, they probably didn't want me using it to visit my "poor" parents.

How interesting!

I took another bite of my taco as my phone vibrated like crazy.

The family group chat was blowing up.

Martha was sending voice notes, crying about how much I was hurting her.

The aunts were all jumping in to stir the pot.

Martha: "Family, my heart is breaking. I have to tell you all so you can judge for yourselves."

Aunt Brenda: "What's wrong, Martha? Tell us! we've got your back."

Martha: "Selena wants a car. We just finished the wedding and we're in debt. Where are we supposed to get car money?"

Martha: "She's throwing a fit now. I don't even know where she ran off to."

Me: "?"

Lexi: "Selena, where are you? Do you know how worried Mom and Dad are? You're an adult, be responsible! @Selena"

Martha: "Exactly. It's just a car. You're a housewife, what do you need a car for?"

Second Aunt: "Selena, don't be so selfish. Your uncle doesn't even have a car. You don't make money, you live off your husband, yet you want more? Be grateful."

Aunt Brenda: "People shouldn't be so materialistic."

Another Aunt: "Oh, Martha, your life is so hard. You had to pay for a wedding even though they already eloped, and now this. @Selena"

Brenda again: "I told you, Martha. Don't get a pretty daughter-in-law. Get one like mine―she does whatever I say and never asks for a dime."

Martha: "You're so lucky."

Brenda: "I knew that girl was trouble. She spends money like water. And honestly, she already slept with Landon before the wedding, so who knows how many hands she's passed through!"

The group chat went silent. Everyone was just watching the drama unfold.

I realized I had to handle this myself.

I put down my food and started typing.

Me: "You're so ugly, Brenda, yet I don't see your husband having a good life. @Brenda"

Me: "Your ex-husband was cuckolded every single day until he finally kicked you out. He's doing great now with a wife who is actually beautiful!"

Me: "By the way, who was that bald guy running out of your house at midnight? Was it Bill or Larry? You sure have a lot of 'friends' for a used-up woman like you. How many STDs are you carrying? @Brenda"

Me: "You've slept with so many men, yet I haven't seen any of them throw a parade to marry you. Is it because you didn't want to, or because they just wanted a free ride?"

Brenda: "You little b*tch!"

Aunt Brenda: "Selena, take that back! Show some respect to your elders!"

Second Aunt: "You're college-educated! How can you say such things? @Selena"

Martha: "How can you say that in the group chat? What did your mother teach you? @Selena"

Me: "I only respect humans, not animals. @Brenda"

Me: "Don't try to guilt-trip me. I don't have a conscience. @SecondAunt"

Me: "And Martha, what did your mother teach you? To lie and manipulate? @Martha"

Landon: "Babe, stop. Take it back. We'll talk when I get home in two days."

Me: "Oh, you're alive? You didn't answer my calls or texts. I thought you died in a ditch somewhere."

Landon: "I was busy. Stop making a scene."

Me: "Make a scene? If you're playing dead, stay dead. Don't come back to life now, it's bad luck!"

I hung up on Landon's calls and flipped my phone to airplane mode.

He was a spineless, "family-first" coward. I'd seen the signs, but I was too blinded by my romantic utopia to believe it.