Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Sharing a bed.
Any married woman knew exactly what that meant.
Carmela’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You’re not joking with me, are you p>
“I would never joke about something like this with you p>
Elissa lifted her gaze. Her small, delicate face looked even paler, but her voice remained gentle. “Mom, I honestly can’t think of any other way out besides divorce p>
Carmela was furious, but not at Elissa.
Her anger was reserved for her own son and Marcia.
One was clueless, the other always looking for something better.
But now that it had come to this, even as a strong–willed mother–in–law, she couldn’t bring herself to ask Elissa to stay.
How could she? Her own son had wasted three years of someone else’s life for nothing.
The poor girl carried the label of a married woman, yet had never even experienced what marriage was supposed to be.
Carmela took a steadying breath and patted Elissa’s hand. “I noticed in the divorce agreement, you’re only asking for the house on Juniper Road p>
Elissa nodded, lips pressed together. “If that’s not possible, I can walk away without it p>
She knew perfectly well that her only goal today was to get divorced.
The last settlement, along with her own savings, was more than enough for her to live comfortably.
To outsiders, she was the butt of every joke–a woman who wasted three years, wore the most colorful cuckold’s crown, and then left with nothing.
But she knew it was worth it.
For these three years, she’d been free–far freer than she’d ever been with the Murphy family.
She didn’t regret it for a second, not even when she counted the times she’d been punished or forced to kneel back then.
“You’re overthinking this,” Carmela said, glancing at her. “If word got out, people would say the Atwater family was mistreating our daughter–in–law. Here’s what I’ll do: you keep the
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house on Juniper Road, and I’ll transfer another one in your name, also on Juniper Road p>
“One for you to live in, and one you can rent out for extra income p>
Elissa was taken aback.
The houses on Juniper Road were all single–residence, and renting one out brought in five figures a month, not to mention the market value.
The Atwater family had treated her well enough over the years, but it wasn’t as if they had deep emotional ties. Giving her an extra house out of the blue didn’t quite add up.
As she was considering how to respond, Carmela spoke again, her voice unusually sincere. “Elissa, I know it wasn’t easy growing up with the Murphy family. No matter how much Matriarch Paige doted on you, you still had to suffer there p>
“So, when you came to us, the Atwaters, we did our best to treat you well. Wouldn’t you agree p>
Elissa nodded. “You and Grandpa and Grandma have always been good to me p>
She knew the Atwaters had no obligation to treat her as family, and their kindness had been more than she could have expected. Especially Grandpa–he really had cared for
her.
Carmela’s expression softened. “I knew it. You’ve always been a hundred times more considerate than Marcia p>
“Elissa p>
She poured her a cup of tea, her voice slow and measured. “I have a favor to ask–one l wouldn’t mention if I had any other choice p>
Elissa accepted the cup. “Please, go ahead p>
“ I’ll agree to the divorce,” Carmela said, “but I need you not to mention it to Frank for now, all right p>
Elissa hesitated. “What do you mean p>
“ I’ll take care of the paperwork,” Carmela replied/her mind already made up. “But for now, the divorce will stay between you and me. I’ll find a new match for Frank, and once that’s settled, we’ll make the divorce public p>
The meaning couldn’t have been clearer.
This was to keep Marcia from swooping in at the first opportunity, to prevent the Atwater family from airing their dirty laundry in public.
The house on Juniper Road was a parting gift, compensation to Elissa until Frank’s new
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wife was chosen.
But Elissa wanted a clean break, nothing left unfinished. She’d never been one for dragging things out.
She looked at Carmela, uncertain. “Mom, I know you mean well, but- ”
“Elissa, this really is a win–win p>