Chapter 5
Suppressing his anger, Henry took a deep breath. “Fine, I won’t argue with you this time. Just make sure you book the hotel for the rest of the trip. Have a plan ready for each day, decide on the sightseeing spots, and buy all the tickets in advance.”
I replied with a quick “Got it,” and hung up.
Not long after, he called again.
“Transfer me fifty thousand dollars; I‘ m
short on cash here.”
“Why do you need that much?” I
frowned.
“It’s normal to spend money on a trip. Hurry up and send it over–I need it now!”
he ordered.
“Nope. You’ve got some nerve asking for money from your wife as if it’s your right. Are you proud of living off me?” I
sarcastically retorted.
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Without waiting for his reply, I ended the call and ignored the next few times he tried to call back.
A bit later, I saw Mallory‘ s new social media post, showing off a luxury–brand bag with the caption: [It feels so wonderful to be spoiled. Thank you, my dear Mr. Baker.]
The bag was a new release from a certain designer brand and cost fifty thousand dollars. Henry, with his three–thousand- dollars monthly salary, bought it for her without blinking an eye. I bet he maxed out. his credit card. He could only be that bold if he thought I’d cover his debt.
The next afternoon, he called me again. This time, I answered.
“Do you know what time it is? Why aren’t you here yet? Your train didn’t even have a delay! Can’t you move faster? The whole family is waiting for you!” Henry sputtered.
“Waiting for me? What for?” I asked,
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confused.
“To have dinner of course! Hurry up and come over!” he yelled.
“Don’t wait for me. Just start eating,” I drawled.
“We already ate. We’re waiting for you to come settle the bill,” he said without a trace of shame.
I laughed, genuinely amused. Some people really wouldn’t change.
“Henry, can you not even pay for dinner now? Did you max out your card buying a bag for Mallory? You must be as broke as you are shameless,” I spat.
At that instant, he got defensive. “Well, if you’d sent the fifty thousand earlier, I wouldn’t have maxed it out! Now hurry and transfer the money; I need it for the bill!”
“Alright, hang tight. I’ll transfer it right away.” I hung up and immediately turned
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off my phone. If he thought he’d get any more money from me, he was dreaming.
Just imagining his frustration, unable to pay or reach me, put me in a great mood.
When I finally got off the train and checked into my hotel, I turned my phone back on. Almost instantly, he called.
“Camille! So you finally decided to
answer. Why was your phone off this whole time? I thought something happened to you!” Henry blustered.
“Listen to yourself. Is that any way to talk? I was on a long train ride alone, and instead of worrying if I was safe, you‘ re lecturing me? Are you even human?” I
huffed.
“Oh, like anything would happen to you. You just didn’t want to send me the money!” Henry accused.
“Exactly. I don’t want to. And let me make this clear, Henry. From now on, don‘ t expect to get a single cent from
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me.”
Hearing my serious tone, he grew nervous.
“Camille, come on, don‘ t be upset. I know it was inconvenient for you to travel alone. When you get here, I’ll make it up to you. Where are you? I’ll come pick you up. I even got you a gift—I wanted to
surprise you.
99
I couldn’t help rolling my eyes. After all these years, the most expensive gift he ever gave me was a stuffed teddy bear. It cost ninety–nine dollars, and I only got it after begging him endlessly.
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