Chapter 4Second Life, Scorched Earth

The money had to be given, but I wasn't going to make it easy for them.

Yesterday I told them I'd go to the bank today. But after this morning's scene, did they really expect me to just trot off to the bank?

No way.

I nonchalantly dropped the line, "I'm not in a good mood. I'm going back to my parents' place for a bit. We can go to the bank another day."

Without waiting to see their reactions, I steadied myself with my hand on my belly and slowly went back to my room to pack.

Behind me, my mother-in-law put on a show of scolding Jake, her voice loud enough for me to hear clearly.

"Jake! You ungrateful son! How could you almost raise a hand to Ashley! She's carrying your child! Are you trying to kill your mother with anger!"

Jake mumbled apologies to his mom.

Quite the actors, really treating me like an idiot.

And Jake – he wanted to hit me, why was he apologizing to his mom?

I rolled my eyes behind their backs, muttered "Hypocrites," and slammed my bedroom door shut with a bang.

The voices outside quieted, but I could still faintly hear them.

"Son, are you stupid? Wait until we get the money, then you can hit her all you want! If you scare her off now and she doesn't give us the money, what about... over there?"

Disgusting. Looked decent enough, but couldn't speak or act like a human being. Planning to hit me once the money was secured?

I won't give you the chance.

I knew who "over there" was – that other woman.

She was pressuring Jake to buy the house.

But what did that have to do with me? Let Jake deal with his own headache.

Since Jake had shown he might get violent, I definitely couldn't stay under the same roof.

If he actually hit me, I'd have no one to turn to.

I packed my clothes and dug out the property deed from the closet.

I opened it and planted a big kiss on the page showing only my name.

Jake came from a rural background, clawing his way up through college. I was a city girl, raised comfortably.

My family was well-off, and I'd met plenty of rich kids. But Jake presented himself as hardworking, down-to-earth, and kind, with a decent face – different from anyone I knew.

We fell in love quickly in college, and after graduation, I married him despite my parents' strong objections.

My parents were furious at my stubbornness, practically wanting to crack my head open to see what was inside. But in the end, they relented and agreed to the marriage.

I remembered my dad, wiping away tears in anger, shoving this deed and a bank card at me. "This is the house I bought for you, and the money in this card is your dowry. Don't bother coming back to see your mother and me. We'll pretend we never had a daughter."

I didn't say anything then, just took Jake's arm and left.

I even complained that the 1500-square-foot house was too small.

But now, I was incredibly grateful. Thank goodness I hadn't impulsively added Jake's name to the deed, otherwise, I'd have no way to kick this mother-son duo out later.

I packed all my valuables into my suitcase and walked out under their watchful eyes, head held high.