Chapter 3

The next second, Trevor received a thank-you text from Bella.

He asked me, “You lent her $50,000? Where did the other half come from?”

This time, I did not argue with him. I said calmly, “I borrowed it from someone else.”

“You only get $150 as pocket money a month. How are you supposed to pay back $25,000 back to them? Let me tell you right now, I’m not covering it for you!”

I looked at him as if I had heard the funniest joke. I kept silent and turned to head into the small bedroom.

I thought he would come looking for me. Instead, he fell fast asleep in the master bedroom as soon as his head hit the pillow.

He got up the next morning and acted as if nothing had happened.

But I could sense that his mood was off.

We went to work as usual and came home as usual. We went to the supermarket together to buy groceries.

When I asked him what he wanted to eat, he gave me a brisk reply and told me to decide by myself.

Seeing him like that, I could not be bothered to ask further.

At the checkout, I organized the month’s worth of groceries while listening to the cashier announce the total.

It cost $101.

I was short by $1.

I turned to look at Trevor. He was standing far away at the exit.

His eyes darted in every direction. He just would not look at me.

The cashier said again, “Miss, your total is $101.”

Embarrassed, I took out $100 and called Trevor.

He glanced at his phone. Then, he put it back into his pants pocket.

The people queuing behind started to complain.

“Come on, it’s just a few things! How long does it take to check out?”

“What’s up with young people these days? Living paycheck to paycheck! Seriously? Are you stressing over $1?”

“People are waiting behind you! If you’re broke, why even come to the supermarket?”

The complaints grew louder. I had no choice but to leave behind a condiment I liked. I barely manage to check out and leave.

Although the cashier said nothing, she looked at me in annoyance.

When I walked over to Trevor with the items, he said impatiently, “Why did it take you so long just to check out?”

I felt a knot in my chest and said softly, “It’s because I didn’t have enough money. I called you, but you didn’t answer. That’s why it took so long.”

“You don’t have enough? Borrow some from a coworker, then. Aren’t you supposed to be so good at that?”

I looked at him in disbelief as I found it utterly ridiculous.

“You borrow money only for emergencies. Coming to the supermarket is to buy food for both of us. Why did you just leave?”

Trevor sneered with his hands in his pockets.

“I spent money on groceries last week. This week, it’s your turn.

“Besides, when you go to the supermarket, you need to spend within your means. You can’t just buy whatever you see.

“I’m not like you. I’m not used to buying useless stuff. I only buy what we need. That’s why I never go over budget, not even by $1.”

I was so angry that I could not help but laugh.

Every month, I gave him over $10,000, yet I did not even have the right to spend more than $100 on groceries!

Before I could say anything, he picked up the groceries and walked out.

He yelled at me to hurry up and follow.

Seeing that there was a crowd, I did not make a scene. I followed behind him.

After we got home, he took the groceries out.

“Four apples for $10? You actually bought those? What are these? Gold-plated tomatoes? And these potatoes? There were ones for ten cents a pound. Why did you buy these?”

Listening to his endless nagging, I lost my composure.

I picked up the bag and threw it out the door along with the groceries.

“Faye White, are you out of your mind? Why are you throwing away perfectly good food?”

I could no longer suppress my anger.

“Yeah, I’m out of my mind!”

Trevor gave me a dirty look and picked up the groceries one by one.

He rinsed the food and veggies that were scattered on the floor with water and placed them on the dining table.

“You must be really rich! Throwing away $100 worth of groceries just like that!” he said sarcastically.