Chapter 4

Two hours later, Mia came back.

There was still a bright hickey on her snow-white neck.

She walked in and didn't so much as greet her in-laws.

She just went straight to the couch and sat down across from us.

She pulled an agreement out of her bag and laid it on the table.

“Everard, sign it once you've come to your senses.”

My brother glanced at me.

I picked up the agreement and read it carefully.

It was a divorce agreement Mia had had someone draft.

The terms were simple.

She wanted a share of the assets.

This apartment was in my brother's name.

She wanted half of it.

Total value six million, three million of it paid to her in cash.

When I finished reading, I tossed it straight into the trash.

“Doris Delgado, what do you think you're doing?”

Mia glared at me, her brows knitted with fury.

“My brother is not divorcing you.”

That got a string of cold laughs out of Mia.

“He and I have already talked about this.”

“There's nothing left between us.”

“And I'm not afraid to tell you the truth.”

“I cheated.”

“He and I are getting divorced, no matter what!”

The moment Mia finished, my brother suddenly spoke up.

“Honey, I know it's probably my fault. I've been so busy with work that I've ignored how you feel, and that left you empty and lonely, so you found another man to fill the gap.”

“I won't be angry with you, and I definitely won't divorce you.”

“Because I love you.”

Cold-faced Mia heard Everard say he loved her.

She froze on the spot.

“Honey, you rushed all the way back, and it's cold out there.”

“You're not dressed warmly enough. Be careful you don't catch a cold.”

“I'll go make you a cup of cold medicine.”

Watching Everard get up to go mix the medicine,

Mia snapped out of her daze.

She asked in disbelief, “Everard, is something wrong with your head?”

“Honey, hold on, the medicine's almost ready.”

“I asked you a question.”

“Are you sick or something?”

My brother set the mixed medicine down in front of Mia.

Then he fished a necklace out of his pocket.

“Honey, a gift I bought for you.”

Mia knocked his hand away.

“I want a divorce, do you hear me?”

“Honey, let me put it on for you.”

Watching Everard read every word she said and answer with something completely off,

Mia was so angry her lungs were about to burst.

But I just sat off to the side, eyes narrowed, smiling.

Everything my brother was saying,

I had taught him.

She wanted a divorce, wanted to split the assets, didn't she?

I was not about to let her get her way.

“Get your hand off me!”

Mia knocked Everard's hand away again, her face full of rage. “If you won't divorce me, then every cent you earn each month, I'll spend it all. You'll never save up a dime as long as you live. I want you broke for life!”

“That won't really be a problem.”

I spoke up out of nowhere. Mia looked over at me, and I smiled. “My brother only makes two thousand a month. He has rent, water, and electricity to pay, plus his aging parents to support. The most he could give you in a month is a tenth of his salary, so two hundred dollars.”

“That kind of money isn't nearly enough to keep him broke for life!”

Mia's face was pure shock.

“He clearly makes twenty-three thousand a month.”

“How did that turn into two thousand?”

“You think I'm stupid? You're trying to fool me?”

Smiling, I pulled my brother's pay stub out of my pocket.