In the second month of our marriage, my mother-in-law said, “Since you live in the family house, you should pay all the bills.” I smiled and answered, “Then I’ll move back to the house I bought before we got married.” My husband turned pale and asked, “What house?”

Solid.

Quiet.

Untouched.

That night, I slept without waking.

By morning, my phone was full of missed calls and messages from Daniel. I blocked his number and made coffee.

An hour later, Daniel and Norma appeared at my door.

I opened it with the security chain still in place.

“Elena,” Daniel said. “Can we come in?”

“No.”

Norma stepped forward.

“This is ridiculous.”

I smiled.

“Do you know what’s ridiculous? Trying to get someone to sign over property fifty-three days into a marriage.”

“We never said that,” she snapped.

I pulled out my phone and pressed play.

Daniel’s voice filled the doorway.

“If she adds me to the deed, we can refinance.”

Then Norma’s.

“Once the property is marital, everything becomes easier.”

Then Daniel again.

“She trusts me.”

And Norma laughing.

“Then use that.”

When the recording ended, no one spoke.

Daniel swallowed.

“It wasn’t like that.”

“It was exactly like that.”

Norma hardened her voice.