The lawyer pointed out that these weren't special occasion gifts, and given that Monica and I weren't in a romantic relationship, there was a good chance I could recover the money.
I also reviewed the insurance policy I had taken out, with Monica as the beneficiary, and decided to change it.
Initially, it was Monica's idea for us to each buy insurance and name the other as the beneficiary. Back then, I naively thought it was a sign of familial affection.
Now, I realized that Monica and Liam had been plotting against me.
After discussing with my lawyer, I opted to make myself the beneficiary of my insurance policy.
The lawyer inquired if I wanted to sue Monica for the 200 thousand dollars, but I declined.
It wasn't the right time to take legal action against her.
I left the lawyer's office and headed straight home.
Upon seeing the house cluttered with Monica and Liam's belongings, I was gripped by self-doubt.
How had I let Monica move in, eating my food and using my things in my previous life?
I must have been insane.
Without delay, I called the movers and had everything that wasn't mine taken to Liam's rental place.
Liam had a lease on an old, run-down apartment near his workplace, but he rarely stayed there. He'd rather stay with Monica at my place because he didn't like the conditions of his own apartment.
Midway through the moving process, Liam sent Monica back to my house.
Liam confronted me with a scowl, "What's the meaning of this? Who gave you the right to move our belongings?"
Monica also frowned, questioning, "Jean, I thought you said you were at the office?"
I met Liam's angry gaze and dismissed his outrage with a roll of my eyes. "Why shouldn't I move your stuff? It's my house."
Liam suddenly shouted, "Bullshit! Monica helped you with the mortgage. We have as much right to this house as you do. Are you trying to claim it all for yourself?"
I stared at Monica in disbelief, "You paid my mortgage?"
Monica hung her head, and her cheeks flushed. Then she managed to stammer out, "Jean, we're like family. It's no big deal..."
I let out a humorless laugh.
"Monica, when exactly did you pay my mortgage? I bought this house outright. You weren't conned into giving money, were you?"
Hearing this, Liam quickly turned and grabbed Monica's arm. "Didn't you say you contributed to this house? We could use it as our wedding house? What's really going on?"