My suitcase slipped from my hands. “Mason… what is it?”
He comes in behind me, chewing gum as if he’s just changed the lightbulbs. “Mom had a great idea,” he says casually. “Now we each have our own side and hers when she’s here. It’s more practical.”
“More organized?” I pressed my fingers against the fresh plasterboard, almost expecting it to disappear. “You’ve built a wall in my house.”
Linda emerged from what used to be my office, beaming. “Surprise! It’s ingenious, isn’t it? Two spaces. One for the two of you, one for… the family.”
My throat tightened. “You did this while I was gone?”
She waved her hand, as if to say no. “It’s a… Contractors are expensive, though. We made sure the costs stayed reasonable.”
Mason nodded enthusiastically. “That’s great. You thank us.”
I’m repairing the chains. The division. The feeling that my house was now fragmented. “How much did it cost?”
Linda pulled out an envelope as if she’d rehearsed this moment. “One hundred thousand. You can make a check or a wire transfer. Mason said you’d take care of it since it’s your property.”
A shrill laugh escaped me before I could stop it. “Huh? Why would I pay you a hundred thousand?”
Linda’s smile faded. “Because we’ve beautified your home. And because you’re joining our family.”
I blinked. “Join you? Linda… I’m not even married.”
She snickered. “You’re practically married. It’s the same thing.”
“No,” I said slowly, as if something had just become clear. “It’s not the same thing. And I certainly won’t pay for renovations I didn’t authorize.”
Her eyes narrowed before she raised her chin, as if she held the ultimate trump card. “You’ll pay,” she declared. “Because as Mason’s wife, you’re benefiting from what we’ve built.”
I stare at her. “As his wife?”
She pauses. “Yes. As a wife.”
I turned back to Mason so fast my neck hurt. “Mason… what is she talking about?”
His expression froze for half a second before he shrugged. “That’s just the way Mom talks.”
But Linda wasn’t looking at me anymore, she was looking at him, the person in charge of reinforcements.
