Chapter 3 – A House Divided
Chapter 3 – A House Divided
The next morning, breakfast was unusually quiet.
His wife had slept nearly twelve hours.
For the first time in weeks, the dark circles beneath her eyes looked slightly lighter.
His mother wasn't pleased.
"So," she said while stirring her coffee, "are we pretending she's too delicate to help now?"
He folded his newspaper.
"No."
He looked directly at her.
"We're acknowledging that she's carrying my child, not working as your housekeeper."
His father lowered his eyes.
His sister suddenly found great interest in her cereal.
Nobody came to his mother's defense.
She crossed her arms.
"This is my house."
He nodded.
"You're right."
Then he reached into his pocket and placed a folded sheet of paper on the table.
"It's also the last week we'll be living here."
His wife looked up in shock.
"You found a place?"
"I signed the lease yesterday."
He had planned to surprise her after the baby arrived.
Instead, last night had changed everything.
His mother laughed.
"You'll never make it on your own."
He smiled calmly.
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"I'd rather struggle in peace than succeed in a house where my wife cries herself to sleep."
Those words echoed through the dining room long after breakfast ended.
