Allowance, Lies, and a Secret Ex

Chandl

arents flanking him like silent, grim statues. The air was thick with unspoken tension, a stark contrast to the forced ch

ome. His parents remained seated, their faces unread

hen. I didn't want to engage in any superfi

s voice soft, almost plead

e tried that. It never works. You're incapable of telling the truth." I looked at his parents. "I think it'

esignation. He ran a hand through

sit. And you," I gestured to his

exchanged a glance, their faces tightening. He was clearly trying to mu

of the turmoil inside. "From the beginning. The truth, this time. Not the

d. "Jackie and I met in college. We were young. Fell in love, got married shortly after g

the chase. "Was it a joint purchase, or did you put in a signific

gles back then. She wanted security. So I put down m

uncomfortably. His admission confirmed Diana's findings, deepening the wou

voice devoid of emotio

of a new baby, working long hours... I wasn't there for her. I was young, immature

, Jerrold?" I asked, my voice

wn cleared his throat. "Jerrold had a friend, a co

ue? Was this the 'emotional relationship' you me

ze. "Yes. We... we became ve

ds like ice. "Emotionally. While she was a new

! Not in the way you mean. We ne

nother person, while married, is a betrayal. A deep, fundamental betrayal. And it

fession. "I... I told Jackie I wan

e wanted out. "She didn't want the divorce, did she?" I asked, a bitt

So, I offered her a deal. I told her I would sign the house over to her completely, and I wo

uelty, was breathtaking. He had bought his freedom, his new life with me, at the expense of his fi

e of contempt and disbelief. "You are a deceiv

nt, his gaze fix

and vulnerability, and then you deceived me about the reasons for your divorce. And for five years, you deceived me about your income and your

he said, his voice weak. "I only want

eo go without things he needed, things we could have afforded, all while you were sending $2,500 a month to a

mother put a hand on his arm, a gestu

e cutting through the tension. "How much lon

ace etched with something that looke

of the $150,000 already gone. Half a million dollars

f $450,000, not including the initial down payment, all for a house that Jackie Reid owns, a house you don't even live in

d, his voice cracking. "Fo

u'd have ensured it was a trust, or that you had some ownership stake. This is for Jackie. And for your guilt. Do

to his parents, then back to m

rrold," I stated, my voice clear and unwavering. "Every singl

is mouth agape. "W

clarified, my voice rising. "$75,000. And I'm sayi

clutching her chest. Jerrold' s face went white, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief. But