Chapter 2

The next day, Abigail didn't come home alone. She walked in hand in hand with Dwayne.

"Brett, we need to talk."

I looked up at her, an odd unease stirring inside me.

She never brought her lovers home, let alone paraded them in front of me.

"Dwayne's grandfather is dying. His one wish is to see Dwayne get married."

I frowned slightly.

"And?"

Abigail hesitated, then finally said it.

"So... we need to get divorced."

The air went still.

Divorced?

I'd endured ten years, finally reaching the edge of my reward, and now, at the very last step, she wanted to throw me out?

Watching me stay silent for so long, a flicker of guilt crossed Abigail's eyes.

"Just for a month. As soon as his grandfather passes peacefully, we'll remarry right away."

Dwayne's eyes had gone red-rimmed.

"Brett, please."

He walked over and actually started to kneel.

"Grandpa. The doctors say it's only a matter of days."

I didn't move, though my mind was racing.

If Abigail died and I wasn't the son-in-law who married into money anymore, how much less would I inherit?

The thought of Dwayne tearing my three children's inheritance apart made something ache deep in my chest.

No. I couldn't let this happen.

For my own sake, for the children, for myself, I had to hold on to my place as the family's son-in-law.

I looked Abigail dead in the eye.

"The New Year's coming up, and the whole family will be gathering. Don't make us a laughingstock in front of them. Wait until after the holiday. You two can put on whatever show you want then."

"No!" Dwayne screamed. "I'm afraid Grandpa won't last that long!"

He really did kneel then, grabbing at the hem of my pants.

"Please, Brett, he's my only family left. If Grandpa doesn't get to see me married, he won't be able to rest easy when he goes. I won't be able to go on living either."

Abigail's eyes were full of sympathy for him as she turned to me, her patience wearing thin.

"Brett, just do me this favor. What Dwayne's asking isn't unreasonable."

I laughed bitterly.

"Abigail, I've stood by you for ten years.

"You've had forty-nine lovers, and I never once raised my voice at you, never said a bad word about you to anyone.

"I've taken care of this household, your parents, our three children, every single one of them, without fail.

"And now you want me to give up my place as the family's son-in-law..."

Abigail argued back, a little desperate.

"Just one month!"

"No." I stood up, my resolve harder than she'd ever seen it. "You promised me this. Your word has to mean something!"

Reminded of her own promise, Abigail wavered, caught between the two of us.

Dwayne covered his face and started crying.

"Forget it, forget it. I'll just go be with Grandpa."

He tried to get up, only to collapse back to the ground, his whole body shaking.

Abigail's heart broke watching him. She pulled Dwayne into her arms.

Then she looked at me, her eyes turning cold.

"Brett, I'm not asking your permission. You've always done what I say. That's not going to change now."

I let out a cold laugh, already turning the plan over in my mind.

If I simply refused to sign, and she had to file for a contested divorce, it would take at least two months.

Six days from now, on New Year's Eve, all of this would be over.

Seeing me start to leave, Abigail grabbed my wrist.

"Where are you going?"

I gave her a flat, indifferent look.

"I don't want to look at either of you. I'm leaving."

Abigail smirked, her eyes reading, "I see right through you. Think running off gets you out of the divorce? Planning to go tip off my parents?"

She hauled me toward the door.

"We're going to the County Court right now. This is getting done today."