The Wife Who Returned
Because that's what partners did.
Now I just looked at him and saw the script playing out exactly as it always had.
"No," I said.
The word hung in the air between us.
Adrian's smile didn't fall immediately. It flickered. A micro-expression of surprise, quickly smoothed over. "What do you mean, no?"
"I mean no." I kept my voice even. Calm. "I have my own expenses, Adrian. My own bills. I can't keep—"
"Keep what?" Something shifted behind his eyes. The sheepishness cracking, just for a second, to reveal something harder underneath. Something cold. "Keep supporting your future husband? Keep helping our family build something?"