That day his face had gone cold, and he'd lectured me like it was scripture:
"Frances, spending money takes planning. That family fund is for emergencies. It doesn't get touched unless it's critical. You'll have to figure this out on your own."
And now he could take the money in that account, half of which was mine, and hand every cent of it to Melanie Cobb.
I drew in a breath and pushed down the sourness rising in my throat.
"Lance, we need to talk."
His reply came instantly:
"It's my lunch break. Whatever it is, it can wait until I'm home from work."
After that, no matter what I sent, he never answered a single message.
I stared at the black screen, turned, and knocked straight on Melanie Cobb's door.
If he wouldn't talk, then I'd go to Melanie.
The door opened. She looked at me, and something startled flickered in her eyes.
I fixed my gaze on her and spoke coldly:
"Give me back the money."
She folded her arms across her chest, contempt in her eyes.
"Lance gave it to me because he wanted to. What's that got to do with you?"
She lowered her voice, and it turned ugly.
"Frances, let me tell you a secret. That night, did you really believe a pipe burst in my apartment?"
My pupils shrank, my breath caught.
She watched the color drain from my face and only smiled brighter.
"It didn't. I knew exactly what the two of you were doing at that hour."
"Frances, I couldn't stand him touching you. That's why I knocked on purpose."
My head roared. The rage in my chest swallowed every last piece of reason and feeling in an instant.
I didn't even realize I'd moved.
The crack of it split through the stairwell all at once.
I had her hair fisted tight in my hand, and I screamed at her:
"Melanie, you make me sick, you know that?"
"Frances, you've lost your mind!"
Just then, fast footsteps came pounding up the stairwell.
Lance was back, and the second he saw the scene he didn't hesitate for a heartbeat. He rushed over and wrenched me off her.
The next moment his hand came up, and a hard slap landed across my face.
"Frances, who is this insanity for? Get out. Get out right now."
Then he took Melanie and turned to go back down the stairs without a backward glance.
I could give up the man. But the money had to come back to me.
I braced myself against the wall to get up and looked at him, all the hope gone out of me.
"Lance, give me back the money!"
He stopped. His back went rigid, and it was a long moment before he turned to look at me.
"Frances, take the money and then behave yourself. No more of these fits, scaring Melanie."
"Whatever it is, we'll deal with it when I get back."
Expressionless, I put my phone away, turned, went back into the room, and left dragging my suitcase.
Lance, it's over between us.
And I won't be waiting for you anymore either.
……
