Hearing this, my anger exploded. Scott, you bastard. I built everything with you from nothing and now that you were rich, you cheated on me, hid money from me and even tried to drive me to death?
I took the gold bars out one by one and packed them into the suitcase I’d prepared earlier. “What if Scott finds out when he gets back?”
I stared at the dark opening, worried. If he found out, I might not even make it out of this house, let alone get a divorce.
“Mom, are you silly? Just stuff some old books into the box next to it so it looks full, then put the ceiling panels back. They haven’t been opened in years. By the time he notices, we’ll be long gone!”
I suddenly understood. I grabbed a few of Scott’s showpiece books from the top shelf, stuffed them into the black bag and put it back in the ceiling. Then I carefully secured the panels.
I even wiped away the fingerprints on the edges. Then I sat on the floor, my heart pounding. Even jumping into the river hadn’t been this thrilling.
Just then, the door opened downstairs. Scott’s impatient voice followed, “Tara, did that crazy woman come back?”
I froze. “Mom, don’t give in! You’re the victim now. Act desperate and make him think you’ve given up!”
I kicked the suitcase of gold bars deep under the bed, then messed up my hair and sat on the edge. I forced myself to calm down and tears immediately welled up.
When Scott pushed the door open, he saw me looking “heartbroken.” Disgust flashed in his eyes. “Still not dead? I thought you had some backbone.”
He loosened his tie, clearly impatient. “Since you’re not dead, sign the papers.” He tossed a divorce agreement at me. “If you leave with nothing, I’ll pay for the abortion. After all, no one wants a woman with a child when remarrying.”
Abort it? Even animals weren’t that cruel.
How could he say that?
Hatred surged in my heart, but I knew now wasn’t the time to explode.
I slowly lifted my head, my eyes hollow. Following my son’s advice, I put on the act of a woman completely broken by grief.
“Scott, after seven years of marriage, are you really going to be this cruel?” My voice was hoarse and trembling.
Scott scoffed and lit a cigarette, ignoring my pregnancy. “Yvette, we’re adults. Don’t make this ugly. Barbara is pregnant with a son. I have to give them proper status. You don’t even know what you’re carrying. If it’s a girl, I’d be at a loss.”