Chapter 2

After that morning blowup, Carter gave me the silent treatment all day.

When I returned home from work that evening, the living room was piled high with luxury shopping bags.

Eleanor was holding a skimpy red lace slip dress against her body, posing in front of Carter.

"Carter, does this look good on me? Does it show off Mommy's curves?"

The dress was scandalously tiny, something no respectable mother-in-law should ever wear.

Yet Carter couldn't take his eyes off her, nodding eagerly:

"Stunning. You look gorgeous in everything, Mom. You’ve got way more charm than those young girls."

Catching sight of me, Eleanor smugly waved a bag in the air.

"Chloe, you're back? Carter took me shopping today. Look at all the beautiful clothes he bought me!"

"Oh, Carter said your style is so dull and rigid. Unlike me—everything I wear makes me look so youthful."

I glanced at the shopping bags littering the floor. Chanel, Gucci, Dior. At least ten grand easily.

Carter had the debit card linked to my salary account—the one we agreed was meant for our future baby fund.

I turned a cold gaze toward Carter. "Where did you get that kind of money?"

Carter shifted uncomfortably, avoiding my eyes. "I... I got an advance on my paycheck."

"Bullshit!" I cut right through his lie. "Your paycheck wouldn't cover the sales tax on that pile. You used my card, didn't you?"

Eleanor instantly shielded Carter, completely brazen:

"I told him to swipe it! So what? I'm his mother! It’s only natural for a son to spend money on his mom! As his wife, not only do you refuse to buy me anything, but you also want to stop Carter from honoring his mother?"

"Honoring your mother?" I scoffed, kicking a bag aside.

"Does being a devoted son require buying erotic lingerie? Who the hell are you planning to wear that for? You're just desperate to act like a twenty-year-old seductress!"

Eleanor shrieked, "Chloe! You insolent shrew!"

She threw herself into Carter's chest, sobbing:

"Carter, look at her! She’s attacking me! She’s actually insulting me like this!"

Carter rubbed her back tenderly, glaring at me with venom.

"Chloe, you've crossed the line! The money in that account is marital property. What's wrong with me spending a little on my mom? Can't you stop being so damn petty and calculative?"

"Marital property?" I pulled out my phone and dialed customer service on speaker.

"That is my personal salary account. You only knew the PIN because I trusted you. Since you're so generous, let's settle the score right now."

Right in front of their eyes, I reported the card stolen and froze the account.

"Starting today, not a single cent of my money will ever flow into either of your pockets."

Carter’s face went pale. "Chloe, are you insane?! How are we supposed to live?!"

"How you survive is your problem."

I turned toward my bedroom and slammed the door shut. "If you're so desperate to play the devoted son, go sell a kidney to pay for her!"