Chapter 4Eight Swiss Rolls

Seeing my nails, Leo’s face changed. “Who told you to do that? How much did it cost? Go get a refund right now!” I admired my manicure. “Not expensive, just about a hundred bucks!” A hundred bucks. For a cheapskate like Leo, it must have killed him. Usually, for the two hundred dollars in monthly living expenses, he’d humiliate me endlessly before handing it over, as if I owed him. But mortgage, car payments, utilities—none of those were free. I always worked odd jobs when our son was at school to supplement the household income.

Leo spat on the floor, exasperated. “I’m out there, slaving away like a dog to earn some money, and you’re constantly finding new ways to torment me! Do you even care about this family anymore?!” My son chimed in, “Mom, you can’t spend Dad’s money anymore! Dad works hard for his money; what right do you have to spend it?!” They were a united front.

I crossed my arms. “I am your legal wife. As long as you don’t divorce me, I will spend your money. If you don’t give me money, I’ll sell the house and the car.” Leo’s face turned ashen, speechless. It wasn’t that he didn’t want a divorce; it was that he didn’t want to split half his assets with me. “Divorce is fine, but you haven’t worked a day since we got married, and you ask me for two thousand a month. You owe me a ten-thousand-dollar breakup fee!” When it came to shamelessness, Leo was truly in a league of his own. I certainly wouldn’t agree to that; otherwise, he’d probably demand I return the original dowry too. “If you don’t agree, we’ll see each other in court. You’ll likely lose half your net worth to me.”