Chapter 2

Cody chimed in at this point.

"Don't blame Chloe. It was my idea. If you want to blame someone, blame me."

I turned to him and let out a cold laugh.

"Don't worry. I'll deal with you in a minute."

Chloe stepped in front of Cody, shielding him. "If you're angry, take it out on me. Don't touch Cody."

Watching her protect him like a mother hen, I suddenly found it utterly ridiculous.

What kind of woman had I actually married for the past six years?

My phone buzzed. It was a bank notification.

My business had boomed today, bringing in over seven figures.

I had rushed home, eager to share this life-changing news with her.

Now, that text message felt like a sick joke.

I shoved my phone back into my pocket and looked at her.

"Chloe, the house you guys bought—whose name is on the deed?"

Chloe looked at me defensively and remained silent.

"My name, obviously," Cody spoke up. "Chloe gave me the money, so of course it's under my name."

"Good."

I nodded.

"Since we're family, we'll pack our things and move in with you. We're still renting anyway, so this will save us rent."

Cody's face instantly paled.

"No way! I bought that house. How can you guys just move in?"

I looked at him.

"Whose money did you use to buy that house?"

Cody choked on his words.

"Chloe gave me that money. Once she gave it to me, it became mine."

Chloe added,

"Luke, don't be like this. Cody finally has a house of his own. It wouldn't look right if we moved in."

"Wouldn't look right?"

I turned to her.

"You provided the money. You and I are married. It's completely normal for us to live there."

Chloe's expression became highly strained.

"Cody needs to get married in the future. The house is for his future wife. It would be inconvenient if we lived there."

I laughed out loud.

"Then what do you think is convenient? We continue renting while you keep stealing our money to feed your brother? Is that convenient?"

Chloe's face darkened.

"What do you mean 'stealing'? That was our family money! What's wrong with me spending some money on my own brother? Luke, watch your mouth."

"Our family money?"

I couldn't hold back my anger anymore.

"Half of that three hundred thousand dollars came from me driving late-night Uber shifts for the past six years! While you were asleep at home, I was out on the freezing streets. And you're telling me that's your family money?"

Chloe flinched at my shouting and took a step back.

But she quickly threw her head back up defiantly.

"Why are you yelling? The money is spent, and the house is bought. What's the point of making a scene now? It is what it is. What can you possibly do about it anyway?"

She sounded incredibly smug.

Because she believed she held all the cards.

The money was gone, the house was bought, the contract was signed. The deed was done.

In her eyes, I had no leverage left.

She assumed I would do what I always did—pout for a few days and then let it go.

In the past, whenever I caught her secretly giving Cody a few thousand dollars, we’d argue, but in the end, I was always the one to back down.

She thought this time would be no different.

After all, the money was spent. What could I do?

Looking at her expression, a wave of exhaustion washed over me.

"Chloe, let's get a divorce."