Jim noticed the look on my face and leaned close to my ear, pleading.
"Babe, you can't get worked up right now. Please, just stay calm."
"Just play along for my sake. Agree to it for now. The second my mom leaves, I'll give it right back."
"I'll even sign an IOU if that's what it takes."
My parents overheard him. They exchanged a weary glance.
"Fine," my father said. "We'll agree to your terms. Now can we change the names back?"
The notary was called in. The documents were spread across the table.
Once the signatures were down, the transfer agreement took effect.
My mother-in-law finally cracked a smile.
"Alright. Go ahead and change the names."
Relief washed through me. I signaled for my parents to handle the paperwork.
Watching my son's and daughter's names revert to the ones my parents had painstakingly chosen, names brimming with love and good wishes, the anger that had filled my chest gave way to something warm.
My mother-in-law seemed pleased too. She pulled out her phone and started a voice call with someone, bragging about how her son now owned a sprawling apartment in the heart of downtown.
I didn't know what the person on the other end said, but her expression shifted in an instant. She set the phone down and rushed over.
She slammed her hand down on Jim's, stopping him mid-signature, and looked up at me.
"I changed my mind. One apartment isn't enough."
The color drained from all three of our faces at once.
My father held his temper, his voice low with warning. "We respected your concern for your son. We agreed to your terms."
"If you keep pushing, you're going to burn through every last shred of goodwill between these two."
My mother's expression turned cold. "If you have more demands, you'd better lay them all out right now."
"Going back on your word like this? You're just toying with us."
My mother-in-law straightened in her seat.
"Fine. I won't beat around the bush."
"You need to pay my son a marriage settlement. Ten million dollars."
The air in the room turned to ice. My parents and I froze at the same time.
"How much?" My mother's voice cracked.
My father was already shaking with fury. His palm cracked against the table. "You've lost your mind! Do you have any idea how much ten million dollars is? You're out of your goddamn mind!"