«And did you ever think about why there’s always food in the house, paid internet, gas in the car, your shirts ironed?» He was silent. «You know what Aunt Victoria told me 10 years ago? Never be without your own money. Never.»
Olivia took an envelope from the drawer. «I started saving. First from the money you gave, then I took up crafts.
Sold embroidery online, then learned manicures, and three years ago opened an online store.» David blinked. «You have a business?» «Yes, dear,» she placed bank statements in front of him.
«I earn almost as much as you. I just didn’t advertise it.» At that moment, Emily entered the kitchen, stopping at the door.
«Does Emily know?» David asked hoarsely. «Of course.» His daughter approached her mother and squeezed her hand.
«Mom taught me everything. I already have my own account and savings.» David looked at his wife and daughter, feeling the world collapsing.
He thought he controlled the situation, but it turned out control had long slipped from his hands. «Olivia.» She smiled.
«You know, David, I’m no longer that naive girl I once was. Now I know the value of my life. And you know what I realized?» She glanced at her daughter and added:
«You were right. It’s important for everyone to live on what they earn themselves.» And David suddenly understood that everything had really changed, only not in his favor.
He looked at his wife as if seeing her for the first time. «But why? Why did you keep quiet?» His voice was tense, almost trembling. Olivia set aside the papers, folded her hands on the table, and looked at him with a faint smile.
«Because I didn’t want to shatter your illusion of control,» she replied calmly. «As long as it suited both of us, everything worked. But when you decided to separate the budgets,» she shrugged,
«I just showed you what it really looks like.» David shifted his gaze confusedly to the documents before him. Financial statements, accounts, investments, steady income…
All these years they existed right under his nose, but he never noticed. «And what now?» he finally squeezed out. Olivia narrowed her eyes, as if assessing how ready he was for what she would say next.
«Now,» she leaned forward slightly, looking him straight in the eyes, «we’re renegotiating our terms. But this time as equals.»
In the living room, the old clock ticked evenly, the very ones David kept meaning to replace. Now their steady beat sounded like a mockery of his own belief that he managed this family. Three weeks had passed…
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