Chapter 3 A Public Reckoning

My hand had just reached the door when a knock sounded from outside. I opened it to find Bertha standing there with a warm smile. "Keith, these are eggs from the old hens back in my hometown. I figured you could use the extra nutrition."

I could tell that this wasn't a social call, but she wanted to have a chat with me. "Come in and have a seat, Bertha."

She stepped inside and glanced at Irene. "You're home too, Irene. I know I'm likely overstepping here, but I'm of the opinion that a woman shouldn't meddle in another person's household once she's married, wouldn't you agree? A wife should care for her husband instead of another."

Irene kept her head down, eating in silence. She didn't say a word. However, I noticed a hint of guilt in her eyes when she snuck a glance at me.

I gave Bertha a glass of water, but she waved her hands politely. "I'll just say a couple of things. I still have to get back and take the kid to school."

I thanked her with a smile and walked her out. When I turned back, I saw Winston standing hesitantly by the door, not daring to step forward.

"Irene, Winston's waiting for you outside," I called out loudly into the room.

Irene flinched, startled, the cutlery slipping from her hand and clattering to the floor.

Winston hurriedly tried to explain in a low voice, "Irene and I are really innocent, Keith—don't misunderstand…"

The word innocent coming from his mouth sounded ridiculous.

I shot him a cold look. "Winston, drop the innocent act when you talk to me. You might be able to play Irene like a fiddle with how foolish she is, but not me. Everything your family's eaten and used these past years has been paid for by my household.

"I'm giving you three days to pay it all back. If you don't, I'll take it to the broadcast station and announce it to the whole neighborhood."

Winston's face turned ashen. "Those were just things Irene helped us with because she felt bad for me raising a child alone. It's just groceries and the kid's necessities. I swear it's nothing more. Didn't Irene ever tell you how much she spent?"

"Whatever she spent on you before marriage isn't my concern. But those funds became shared marital property after we got married. She spent at least eighty percent of her salary on you each month. Since this has dragged on for five years, I'd say that's at least 25,000 dollars.

"If you don't pay it back, I'll take it to the authorities and let them sort it out."

The moment Winston heard that number, he froze in shock. He looked toward Irene inside the house, his expression pitiful. "Irene, say something…"

Irene barely dared to breathe. "Winston, you should pay it back. It's not a small amount. Just… do it for me…"

Winston looked completely stunned. Then, he dropped to his knees in front of me with a loud thud and started crying. "Keith, please try to understand me. I'm raising a child on my own. How am I supposed to come up with that kind of money…"

I didn't even bother wasting words. I knew full well that he was doing this to get out of his debt.

Instead, I went straight to the factory where both Irene and Winston worked, sought out their director, and told him everything. "Director, I'm not asking you to take any sides or play the judge here. I just want my money back. I don't care about anything else."

The director poured me a glass of water, trying to calm me down. "Keith, I've seen how devoted you've been to Irene all these years. She's in the wrong here. I'll help you get the money back, but divorce isn't something to take lightly…"

"Director, I've already submitted my application to go abroad. I'll be leaving next week to pursue my studies. Who knows how many years I'll be gone? It'll be better for all of us if she divorces me and marries Winston."

The director looked shocked. My reputation as a devoted family man had long been firmly established. So, no one expected that I would choose to go abroad.

Fortunately, he was a reasonable man as he said encouragingly, "Keith, studying abroad is a good opportunity. You have my support. Just take care of yourself out there.

"As for Irene… She was actually a strong candidate for Employee of the Year this time. I never expected her to be so lacking in judgment."

Before he could finish, Irene burst into the office. "Director, don't listen to him! We're not getting divorced! Also, I've never agreed to him leaving abroad! How could you decide on something so major without even discussing it with me?!"

Winston followed right behind, crying as he fell to the floor. "Director, please help me! There's no way I can repay that much money!"

Their commotion quickly drew a crowd of workers from the factory.

I spoke calmly. "Keep making a scene if you don't care about your pride. This divorce is happening, and you will pay me back."

Winston didn't care that he was now the center of everyone's attention as he shouted, "You're asking for 25,000 dollars! How am I supposed to live with my child after this? I might as well just die…"

He even scrambled toward the window, grabbing onto the windowsill as if he were about to jump.