Chapter 2

With Maya gone from the house, I called the shots.

I could set the air conditioner below sixty-eight, and no one complained about the cold.

I could turn the TV all the way up, and no one told me I was disturbing her rest.

I could leave my clothes wherever I dropped them, and no one waddled over with a big belly to make me throw them in the washer.

Maya always liked to manage everyone.

At the office, she managed people.

At home, she managed me.

Big things, small things.

She had to have a say in all of it.

Even pregnant, she kept the same managerial routine going.

Then came a pounding at the door.

Had Maya actually found a way to get back here?

"Leonard!"

My parents stood there, road-worn and travel-frayed.

The second they saw me, they were livid.

"You dumped Maya on the highway?"

"Mom, keep it down. Don't bother the neighbors."

"I don't care! You go get her back right now!"

"Mom, I just wanted to teach her a lesson."

"A lesson?"

Dad's eyes went wide.

"That's your wife! And my grandchild's inside her!

"I don't care what you two are fighting about. At the very least, while she's pregnant, you give in to her a little!

"Go get her back now! This instant!"

I clicked my tongue.

Give in.

The exact same word Maya used.

"Leonard, I'm pregnant, can't you give in to me a little?"

"Leonard, I'm carrying our baby."

"Leonard, my stomach really hurts."

I'd been giving in to her for seven months.

But since my parents were here.

I couldn't make too big a scene either.

The car pulled up in front of the police station.

Maya was wearing a new set of clothes.

A policewoman draped a coat over her shoulders.

Steadied her as she walked out.

Her eyes and nose were both red.

Both hands resting on her belly.

She looked at me.

And tears instantly filled her eyes.

"You finally came."

The policewoman shot me a look.

"What kind of fight makes a man dump someone on the highway? And a pregnant woman, no less."

I managed a thin smile.

Mom rushed over and steadied her.

"Sweet girl, you've suffered. Get in the car quick, I've already given this rotten boy an earful.

"He won't dare do it again, I promise!"

Maya glanced at me.

I couldn't find a trace of that old defiance in her eyes anymore.

She seemed to be slowly learning how to be a good wife.

She came up to me, sniffled.

"Leonard…"

"I'll take you back, fine."

I said.

"But from now on, I manage the paychecks."

She froze.

"Do you agree?"

Her eyes went even redder.

She nodded.

Her voice caught a little.

"I agree…"

She got taken back with me.

Only after my parents drove home their warnings again and again that I was never to act out like this.

Did they finally turn and leave.

Maya handed over all of her money into my hands.

"A hundred eight thousand in all.

"A hundred five of it is the baby's education fund. I haven't touched a cent of it."

"Good."

I put the money away.

Add in the paychecks I hadn't handed over during her pregnancy.

And in my hands.

I now had close to two hundred thousand.

So this was what it felt like to have all the money under your own control.

The next day.

I pulled out an order for a private postpartum care center.

One month, sixty thousand.

From delivery and labor support to postpartum care and recovery.

One-stop service.

"Booked it for you."

I watched Maya hold that order form, stunned.

My tone flat.

"So you can't say I mistreated you while I held the money."

The order form trembled in her hands.

She pressed her lips together.

Lifted her head, eyes red.

"Thank you…"

That night.

I moved her in.

She stayed there three days.

The light in her eyes grew brighter and brighter.

She stood at the floor-to-ceiling window, one hand at the small of her back, her whole face full of wonder.

"Thank you, Leonard. I'd never have splurged on a place this expensive for myself."

I stood a little way off, smoking.

"You still have to be careful during a pregnancy."

"So… is there still enough money? Am I costing too much by having this baby?"

"That's not something you need to worry about."

I stubbed out the cigarette.

"As long as it's good for your health."

She seemed a little embarrassed.

Pressed her lips together.

And awkwardly got out a line.

"Thank you.

"Once I've given birth, I'll pay this money back."

"No need."