I looked at the two of them. I looked at the grand house, the high ceilings, the expensive furniture. For years, I had thought this was my home. I had thought Greg was my partner. But seeing them now, standing together only because their shared convenience was threatened, the illusion completely dissolved.
I felt no anger. No desire to scream or unleash dramatic insults. Just a deep, profound clarity.
“No, Ashley,” I said calmly. “I won’t be putting anything back on my card.”
Greg frowned, taking a step toward me. “Diane, be reasonable! We’re a family!”
“No, Greg,” I replied, looking him straight in the eyes. “We aren’t a family. You made that perfectly clear last night when you drew the line between your blood and me. You wanted me to be a manager, a cook, an accountant, and a safety net—without giving me the respect of a wife or a mother. You wanted the perks of my love without the obligation of honor.”
