Melissa, however, stepped forward. She deliberately, slowly opened her handbag, pulled out a property certificate, and handed it to me, making sure her new wedding ring caught the light.
“Nadine, do not misunderstand,” she said smoothly. “Chris only did this because he felt sorry for me. He wanted to help my child get a spot to study in the city.”
I stayed silent.
She placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder and nudged him forward.
“Tucker, say hi to Aunt Nadine.”
“I don’t wanna call some country lady Auntie!” Tucker cried. “I wanna go home! The mosquitoes here won’t stop biting me!”
He recoiled from me as if I carried something infectious.
Still silent, I opened the property certificate.
On the line labeled “Owner,” Melissa’s name was printed clearly.
I froze.
Noticing my reaction, Chris immediately jumped in, talking fast.