Looking at him like that, I felt equal parts fury and heartbreak.
Did he really think I wanted a divorce?
I'd just given birth. I was weak, exhausted, desperate for my husband to be by my side. The last thing I wanted was to end my marriage.
And a divorce wouldn't just affect us. It would affect my parents too.
If the elders found out, the stress alone could put them in the hospital.
My father looked at Jim with undisguised disappointment.
"Jim. Tell us. How do you want to resolve this?"
Jim was silent for a few seconds. Then, in a small voice, he said, "Dad, this is the first time my mom has ever been this good to me. I don't want to let her down."
"I'll write you an IOU. After my mom leaves, I'll pay back every cent, with interest."
My father stared at him for a long moment, then let out a heavy sigh and waved his hand.
"Fine. We'll scrape it together."
"But this is the last time, Jim. There won't be a next time."
My parents started wiring money, transfer after transfer into his account.
At eight hundred thousand, the system flagged a daily limit.
My father tried to reason with Amelia.
"It's not that we won't pay. The bank has a transfer cap. First thing tomorrow morning, I'll send the rest."