If things were really like that, then what was the point of me working myself into the ground? Let Fraser go make the money. I wanted to see just how far he would get without me behind the scenes.
"I'm not going," I said, dead serious. "If you're so desperate for money, go earn it yourself."
Ysabel looked stunned. Like she couldn't believe what she just heard. For a second, she looked like she wanted to say something, but I was already done.
I walked to the bedroom, shut the door and locked it. I didn’t want to see her face anymore, let alone hear her nagging.
Next thing I knew, it was already the afternoon of the next day. The house was quiet, no one was home.
I grabbed my phone, opened the bank app and wired every last cent of that one million from the deal straight to my parents. They deserved it. They were the only ones who ever had my back.
Once that was done, I headed into the office like it was just another normal day.
But of course, the minute I stepped in, Fraser and Ysabel came rushing at me.
"What did you do yesterday? Why is a million gone from the joint account? Transfer it back, half of it’s mine!" she said.
I didn’t even flinch. Fraser came straight at me, his face full of fake concern but his words sharp as hell. "Come on, man, don’t get upset. Ysabel just panicked, that’s all. You moved the money without saying anything, so she got worried. No need to let this cause drama in your marriage."
Drama? That was rich, coming from him.
I shot him a look and said, "Why are you even in this conversation? I had a fight with my wife, since when is that your business?"
That shut him up real quick. He stood there awkwardly, looking like he wanted to disappear.
Ysabel jumped in then, trying to save face for him, not me. She raised her hand, eyes blazing. "Jairo! What kind of attitude is that? Fraser is just trying to help us! Can’t you just give me this one bit of respect?"
I leaned away before her slap could land and gave her a light push. She stumbled and landed right in Fraser’s arms, of course.
Her eyes went wide in shock, voice shaking. "You! You can't even make money and now you treat me like this? Fraser is better than you in every way..."
I didn’t even blink. I knew exactly how that sentence ended. I had heard it in different forms a hundred times over.
She had been putting me down and lifting Fraser up since year one. Always comparing. Always belittling me. And I let her do it. I let her wear me down until I didn’t even recognize myself.
I used to feel guilty around her all the time, thinking it was my fault she didn’t have the life she wanted. That I wasn’t good enough.
But looking at things now, that was all bullshit. Guilt kept me chained to someone who never cared.
I gave her a flat look. "If he's so amazing, go be with him. Fraser clearly likes you. Do yourselves a favor and stop dragging me into whatever mess this is."
Ysabel instantly pulled away from Fraser, eyes wide like I’d just accused her of murder. "How can you say that? Fraser and I are just friends! A pure, innocent friendship between a man and a woman! You’re just disgusting for even thinking like that."
I was already done with the conversation. "Sure. Whatever you say. Just stay out of my way."
That hit a nerve. She hated being brushed off more than anything. Her pride couldn’t handle it. I watched her turn on her heel and stalk off, dragging Fraser with her like she expected me to come chasing.
But Fraser, being Fraser, paused halfway and came back like he was trying to play mediator. "Come on, Jairo, don’t be like that. We’re really not doing anything wrong. She’s just emotional, you know how it is.
“I’ll go calm her down, but you should probably transfer that one million back before things spiral. Women can be unpredictable, don’t mess up your marriage over a misunderstanding."
I looked him dead in the eye and pulled out my car keys. "Here. Take her out somewhere nice. Chill her out. Just return the car when you're done."
He grinned like I just handed him a gift, took the keys without a second thought and jogged after her.
I watched them go and the feeling in my chest turned from anger to suspicion. Fraser had ten million, right? So why was he acting like that one million in my hand was such a big deal?
Something didn’t add up. And I had a feeling I was finally starting to see the truth.
