Crane’s expression flipped like a switch.
He was in front of me in three steps flat, voice tight with barely–controlled panic.
U
“You’re gonna send it directly? That’s way more complicated! My banking app’s all set up–plus I can toss in extra for her. Don’t strain yourself, you don’t make that much
anyway.”
I lifted my eyes to meet his.
704
“It’s not complicated. And what’s this ‘I don’t make that much‘ bullshit? Without my paycheck, our family would be living off dollar store ramen and government cheese.”
110
That one sentence made his whole facade shatter.
The warmth disappeared from his eyes, replaced by pure, insulted rage.
“Evelyn, what the actual hell? We’re married! You’re really gonna nitpick over something this tiny?”
“What, you think you’re too good for me now?”
Watching him spiral, I actually laughed.
“Crane, it’s literally just a money transfer. Why are you freaking out?”
“Unless… there’s something you’re not telling me?”
His pupils shrank to pinpoints. Then he cranked up the volume to cover.
“You’re talking crazy! What would I be hiding?! I’ve given everything to this family, to Naomi–and you just coast by doing jack shit, and now you’re accusing me?!”
Chapter 2
His chest heaved like he was the victim of some massive injustice.
“Evelyn, don’t forget–you were the one begging me to marry you! If it wasn’t for me, you’d still be rotting in some nowhere small town!”
There it was. Classic Crane.
When he couldn’t win an argument, out came the guilt trips and the ancient history.
Last lifetime, this is exactly how he’d broken me down with his classic PUA bullshit–chip by chip–until I became this timid, insecure doormat who did whatever he wanted.
Now? I just thought it was pathetic.
I was the sole breadwinner. What leverage did this unemployed house–husband actually have?
Nothing but the ghost of love I used to feel.
I didn’t waste another breath on him. Just hit dial on Naomi’s number.
It rang forever before she finally picked up. Her voice came through cold and distant.
“Yeah?”
Just that one word stabbed right through me.
In her mind, I was probably some heartless monster masquerading as a mother.
The second I’d dialed, Crane’s eyes locked onto me like a starving wolf, radiating warning.
I ignored him completely and said softly into the phone: “Naomi, honey, I’m sending you three thousand for living expenses. Let me know if that’s not enough–I can send more anytime.”
Dead silence on the other end.
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You Sond v
Chapter 2
Long, heavy silence.
Crane’s breathing got all ragged and harsh. He paced next to me like a caged animal, fists clenched so tight I could hear his knuckles pop.
Finally, Naomi’s voice came back–shaky, confused.
“…Three thousand?”
She sounded like I’d just told her the sky was green.
“Yeah. Three thousand.” I said it firmly. “You just landed in New York. You don’t know anyone, don’t know the city. Don’t skimp on anything, okay? Eat what you want, go where you want.”
“…Oh.” Super quiet, totally unreadable. “Okay.”
“Text me your account info. I’ll transfer it right now.”
…Mm.”
I hung up and raised my eyes to Crane.
His face had gone black as tar, eyes venomous enough to melt steel.
“Evelyn. You did that on purpose. Didn’t you.”
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Chapter 3
Chapter 3
