He Wanted to Sell Our House for Her Trip, I Bought It Instead Chapter 02
I looked at Derek. “What are you gonna do with that money?”
Derek opened his mouth, glanced at Tiffany, and said nothing.
Tiffany didn’t bother pretending anymore. She sat up on the couch and crossed her legs. “Let me be real with you, Clara. That money’s for my Europe trip. Fifty grand barely covers it.”
She didn’t even lift her eyes when she said it.
Fifty grand. For a vacation.
I stood in the middle of the living room with my apron still on, wet hands dripping.
Scenes flashed through my head.
Three years.
Leo and I scraped by on everything. I only bought what was cheapest.
I went to the grocery store right before closing to get the discounted leftovers.
Leo’s toys all came from the dollar store.
I hadn’t bought new clothes in two years.
But Tiffany?
She carried a $2,500 bag she’d bought last month.
Her skincare set cost $700. She used half of it, decided she didn’t like it, and threw it away for something new.
The stuff she ate and used—Leo and I never even got to look at it.
Her spending was easily ten times mine.
Why? Because her last name was Vance?
“Derek.” I looked at him. “Your sister wants to go to Europe, and you’re
willing to sell a house for fifty grand.”
“You wouldn’t give me a hundred bucks for Leo’s formula last month. I said I needed a new shirt, and you said there was no money.”
“That’s different,” Derek frowned. “Tiffany’s taking a trip. It’s a rare thing.”
I forced a smile. “She’s blowing ninety grand on a vacation, but your own wife can’t even buy a decent pair of jeans without hearing about it.”
Derek’s face went dark. “Clara, are you looking for a fight today?”
Tiffany laughed from the couch. “What’s the matter, Clara? Jealous that my brother loves me? Go ahead and be a Vance if you can.”
My mother-in-law Brenda Vance came out of her room with a plate of fruit and pushed it all in front of Tiffany.
“Teetee’s right. Clara, you’re not blood. Why do you even care? Teetee’s our family’s princess.”
Not blood.
Three years I’d been married into this family. I’d given them a son. And after all that, I still wasn’t family.
“Fine. Your princess.” I looked at the three of them. “Is Leo your family or not? He doesn’t even have a new shirt. What is he, then?”
“What are you talking about?” Derek stood up. “Teetee’s taking one rare trip. You cooking at home doesn’t cost much. Why are you making such a big deal?”
Doesn’t cost much.
I got up at five every morning to cook. I handed over my whole paycheck.
When I was seven months pregnant with Leo, I was still on my hands and knees scrubbing the floor. Brenda said I was being dramatic.
No one helped me after I gave birth. I was taking care of a newborn while my C-section scar was still on fire.
Three years.
“In your mind, am I your wife or your family’s maid?”
He frowned. “What’s wrong with you now?”
I didn’t say another word.
I turned and went to the bedroom.
The second the door clicked shut, the laughter kicked back in.
“Teetee, make sure you take a ton of pictures.”
“Obviously. You’re the best.”
Leo looked up at me. “Mommy, why are you crying?”
I touched my face.
Wet.
“Mommy’s not crying.”
I wiped my eyes and held him tight. In this life, I’m done crying.