Chapter 3

I stayed in that hotel for three days.

That was all the time I needed to snag a new apartment.

It's a fully furnished one-bedroom, totally move-in ready.

And it's only two blocks from my office.

I took a chunk of that house deposit and paid for a whole year's lease upfront.

Rachel helped me move in.

Honestly, there wasn't much to pack.

Just one suitcase.

And a cool quarter-million sitting in my bank account.

"Well, look at you, Ms. Moneybags!" Rachel joked.

"It's a start," I said.

"Once the rest of the cash clears, I'm looking for a condo downtown."

"I want a place that's 100% mine."

"And I am never letting another soul move in."

Rachel looked at me, her voice softening. "Evelyn, you've really changed."

"Yeah?"

"You used to be all about 'keeping the peace' and making sure the family was happy."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Yeah, well, I used to be a total idiot."

"I thought if I just kept taking the high road, everything would eventually work out."

"Turns out, I backed up so far I almost fell off a cliff!"

Three years ago, when we first got married.

Eric's career was taking off, so I quit my job to be a full-time housewife.

He told me, "Honey, you've worked so hard. Let me take care of you from now on."

And like a fool, I believed him.

I spent every day in the kitchen, making him five-star meals.

I treated his parents like they were my own flesh and blood.

I treated his sister like she was my best friend.

I thought I was finally part of the family.

But to them, I was always just an outsider.

Just a tool for the Whitmores to use for housework and eventually, an heir.

Our first Christmas together.

They decided the whole family was going to Vail.

I was so excited, I offered to book the flights and handle the itinerary.

Candace just brushed me off. "Oh, Evelyn, you should stay. Who's going to water all the plants if we're all gone?"

Eric chimed in, "Yeah, babe, flights are crazy expensive right now. Just think of the money we'll save."

That was the first time they left me behind for the holidays.

I sat there all alone in that big, empty house.

Watching the Christmas lights outside my window.

And cried myself to sleep.

The second year, they planned a trip to Hawaii.

Same excuse.

"You stay and hold down the fort."

That time, I actually stood up for myself and we had a massive blowout.

He got right in my face and started screaming.

"Evelyn, can you stop being so selfish?! My mom's getting older, this might be her last big trip! Can't you just let her be happy for once?!"

"We're a family! Why do you always have to make it about you?!"

"Honestly, you're being a total disappointment."

That was the first time I saw how ugly he could really be.

The "sweet guy" in our wedding photos? Total fake.

It was all an act.

My heart just went cold after that.

This year, it was Aspen.

Even further away.

They announced it at the dinner table like it was no big deal.

Brittany was all smiles, bragging about the great deal she found on tickets.

"Eric! Mom! We're going to Aspen for Christmas!"

They were all cheering and high-fiving.

Not one person asked what I thought.

It was like I was a ghost in my own home.

I put my fork down.

And looked at Eric.

He couldn't even meet my eyes.

That was it. I was done.

I didn't even want to argue anymore.

There was no point.

I just wanted out.

Clean and permanent.

"Earth to Evelyn? You still with me?" Rachel's voice snapped me back to reality.

"Nothing."

I hung my last coat in the closet.

"It's all in the past now."

The new place is small, but it's cozy.

I bought myself a massive bouquet of fresh lilies for the kitchen.

The afternoon sun was streaming in, and for the first time, it felt warm.

Over the next few days, Eric messaged me every day.

Pics of the ski slopes, selfies at the lodge... the usual.

Every now and then, he'd drop a: Hey babe, what are you up to at home?

I'd reply: Doing great.

He'd ask: Did you eat?

My reply: Yep.

And that was it.

He was just going through the motions.

Checking the "Good Husband" box to keep me quiet.

He couldn't even be bothered to actually call me.

Because international roaming is "too expensive."

In his world, I wasn't even worth the price of a three-minute phone call.

Pathetic.

A week later, Hayes called me.

"Hey, Evelyn, the paperwork is all cleared. When can we meet to settle the balance?"

"Whenever works for you."

"Tomorrow at ten at the bank?"

"See you then."

The next morning, the other $250,000 hit my account.

Half a million dollars, total. Every single cent.

The first thing I did was wire fifteen thousand to Rachel.

"That's for your legal fees," I told her.

She almost choked and tried to send it back immediately.

"Are you nuts?! We're friends, Evelyn. I'm not taking your money!"

"You're taking it," I insisted.

I sent it again.

"Rachel, this isn't just about the money. It's about the principle."

"I'm closing all my old accounts. I'm settling every debt from my past."

"Emotional ones, financial ones—all of them."

"You helped me out, and you deserve to be paid. That's how the world works now."

Rachel went quiet.

A few seconds later, she accepted the transfer.

She texted: Fine, you win. But Evelyn, I'm putting this in a separate account for you. If you ever need it, it's yours. No questions asked.

I looked at the screen and smiled.

That's a real friend.

That's what family feels like.

Not those leeches who bleed you dry while telling you it's "for your own good."

One last thing on the to-do list.

I walked into a top-tier law firm downtown.

"Hi, I'd like to speak with someone about filing for divorce."

The attorney they assigned me was a total pro.

"Of course. Can you give me the background on the situation?"

"My husband has been emotionally abusive for years. He and his family have systematically isolated and ostracized me. I have proof that they've abandoned me at home during every major holiday for the last three years."

"The house has already been sold. It was a pre-marital asset in my name only, so property division is a non-issue."

"I don't want anything from him."

"I just want the papers signed. Immediately."

The lawyer nodded, taking notes.

"The evidence is solid and the facts are clear. This should be straightforward."

"We can start drafting the petition right now."

"Do it."

"Thanks."

The sky was incredibly blue when I stepped back outside.

I did the math in my head.

In a couple of days, Eric and the gang would be landing.

I was actually starting to look forward to it.

I couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he found out he was locked out of his own life.