Chapter 3: The Price of Entitlement
I stood.
Pulled my phone from my pocket.
And began making calls.
My mother frowned.
"What are you doing now?"
"The consequences."
First call.
The property manager.
"I need the apartment lease I co-signed for my sister removed at renewal."
My sister shot upright.
"What?"
Second call.
"Our family credit card. Cancel the two authorized users immediately."
Mother's face went white.
"You can't be serious."
Third call.
"My accountant."
"Freeze every discretionary transfer to my mother's monthly allowance."
Now both of them were standing.
"You wouldn't."
"I already did."
My sister's voice cracked.
"You're choosing your wife over your family?"
I looked at her in disbelief.
"My wife is my family."
Those six words echoed through the room.
My mother suddenly started crying.
Real tears.
Or at least convincing ones.
"I sacrificed everything to raise you."
"And I spent years thanking you."
I nodded slowly.
"But gratitude isn't lifetime permission to abuse my wife."
She reached for my arm.
I stepped back.
"No."
The word shocked her more than yelling ever could.
"You don't get access to me after what I watched."
She whispered,
"It was only five days."
I stared at her.
"No."
"It was five days for me."
"For Emily..."
"It felt like forever."
Just then, footsteps creaked above us.
Emily stood on the staircase.
Fresh pajamas.
Hair damp from a shower.
She looked confused.
"What... what's happening?"
I smiled for the first time all week.
"The house is getting lighter."
She looked around.
Mom.
My sister.
Suitcases.
"What?"
I picked up both bags.
Walked to the front door.
Opened it.
"I booked you both hotel rooms for tonight."
Mother gasped.
"You're throwing us out?"
"No."
May you like
I met her eyes.
"I'm protecting my wife."
