“Robert, thank you for coming. Please leave.”
“It could be money.”
“I’m happy to wait while you…”
“I’m not selling. I don’t want an appraisal. Take your folder and go.”
“Should I send the report to your husband?” Robert asked.
“No. And please don’t discuss anything you saw here with anyone else.”
Robert looked at Declan, who was practically vibrating with impatience.
“Of course.”
“I’m not selling.”
The front door closed behind him.
“Great,” Declan said. “You just humiliated me in front of him.”
“You did that yourself when you brought him here.”
I locked the door.
“Now talk.”
“I’m trying to save our family’s finances!”
“I’m trying to save our family’s finances!”
“By going behind my back?”
“You spent your entire inheritance on a house that’s falling apart!”
“My inheritance, Declan.”
“We’ve been married eleven years! Since when do we have separate money?”
“Since you spent three days telling me how stupid I was for spending mine.”
“My inheritance, Declan.”
“I’m being realistic.”
“Realistic?” I laughed. “You bought a boat.”
“That’s different.”
“You’ve used it twice.”
“I like having it.”
“And the Mustang?”
“That’s different.”
“I’m restoring it.”
“For six years! Every weekend, every spare dollar. And I never once called it a dump.”
“That’s a hobby!”
“And mine is a house.”
“Your hobby is a hole you throw money into!”
“Yours has an engine. Same thing.”
“Your hobby is a hole you throw money into!”
He opened his mouth. Closed it.
“Did I ever bring someone over to tell you how much you could get for your Mustang?” I asked.
“No.”
“Did I ever suggest selling your boat while you were at work?”
“Of course not.”
“Then why is it acceptable when it’s something I care about?”
“Realistic?”
“Because your house costs a hell of a lot more than my boat!”
“Then let’s talk numbers. How much do you think I have left for repairs?”
“I don’t know.”
“Because you never asked. How much did the contractors quote me for the roof?”
“How would I know?”
“I tried to tell you on Monday.”
“I don’t know.”
“Layla, I don’t remember every conversation we have!”
“You don’t remember the ones you refuse to listen to.”
Then he pointed at the chest.