Chapter 8
I pulled my hand away. “There’s no need for useless talk. Just sign the divorce agreement so we can go our separate ways peacefully.”
His mother nudged him. “Didn’t you buy Camille a gift? Hurry up and give it to her!”
Henry suddenly remembered and dashed inside, returning with a large shopping bag.
“Camille, isn’t this the bag you’ve always wanted? I got it for you. Dad even used his retirement savings to help me buy it for you!” he beamed.
I glanced at it, immediately struck by how cheap it looked–barely even a good fake, just something from a street stall.
“Henry, you were willing to spend fifty thousand on a designer bag for Mallory, but for me, you just got a knockoff from a street vendor? If you‘ re going to pretend,
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at least buy a high–quality replica. Did you really think I wouldn’t notice how fake this
is?” I sneered.
He turned red. “It’s not fake! I bought it from the official store, and I have the receipt!”
“Great. Which store? Let’s go check. If an official store sold a fake, they’d owe us big in compensation.” I remarked.
“It was… in a store in New Orleans. How could we go there now?” Henry stuttered.
“No problem. I’ll pay for the plane tickets; we can go right now,” I insisted.
Upon hearing that, his little sister Nicole. chimed in, “Brother, stop trying to fool her! It’s definitely fake. He bought it for thirty dollars from a street vendor! And who do you think you deserve a real designer bag? You‘ re only worth a cheap knockoff!”
Henry, embarrassed, snapped, “Shut up!”
“Oh, come on, Brother! If she wants a
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divorce, just let her go. Mallory is back
anyway; marry her and let her be my sister- in–law!” Nicole exclaimed.
Henry hissed at her, “You don’t understand. Go to your room!”
Their mother pulled Nicole aside. “Stay out of grown–ups‘ business. Go and study!”
“Wait,” I interrupted. “Nicole, actually, maybe it’s good for you to hear this. You might not understand why your brother and your parents don’t want this divorce, so let me explain.”
Arms folded, Nicole scoffed. “Fine, explain it, then.”
“How much does your brother make each month?” I asked calmly.
“Three thousand,” she stated.
“And your parents?”
“They don’t work, so they earn nothing.” She shrugged.
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“And how much do you spend each month on tutoring, food, and spending money?” I continued.
“My lessons cost five hundred each, and I take two a week. Plus food and spending, I use around six grand a month,” Nicole explained.
“Exactly. Your brother’s monthly salary isn’t even enough to cover your expenses. And this apartment is mine, I bought it before the marriage. After the divorce, you’ll all have to move out. With his salary, the best he can afford is rent, so you’d all be living on the bare minimum.” I snickered.
Her face fell, but she still retorted, “So what? We have Mallory! She would never let us go without.”
“Mallory just came back to the country and doesn’t even have a job yet. As far as I know, she’s back because she couldn’t make it abroad. And her family‘ s financial situation? I wouldn’t expect
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Chapter 8
much help from them.” I chuckled.
Nicole looked increasingly upset. “But this apartment is my brother’s marital home. Why should it all go to you? It belongs to both of you!”
“I bought this place before we got married and paid for it in full. Legally, it has nothing to do with your brother. Maybe study up on the law, little sister,” I taunted.
Her face darkened, and she fumbled for a response, finally saying, “Brother, don‘ t be scared of her! Divorce her, and then you and Mallory can work hard together. We’ll make things work somehow!”
Henry, furious, slapped her. “Shut your
mouth!”
