The Building To-be-Demolished

After a three-day business trip, I dragged my suitcase through the door and saw Leo Luke sitting on the sofa, clutching a property transfer agreement. He looked up at me, his eyes flickering with hesitation, but still handed me the agreement. "Wendy, Vivian's parents saved my parents back then. Giving her a suite is only fair." I took the agreement, my fingertip brushing over the words 'Property Transferor: Wendy Scott,' and it all felt ridiculous. This house was left to me by my late father. It's premarital property, and the Property Deed has only my name on it. "I'm not giving it."I set the agreement down on the coffee table, my tone leaving no room for discussion. Leo Luke's mom came out of the kitchen, holding a spatula, her apron dusted with flour. "Wendy, you're the Luke Family's daughter-in-law. It's only right that you repay us. Vivian is just a poor little girl, an orphan with no parents—how pitiful she is." I looked at her and remembered that last year she said the exact same thing, and in the end, I bought Vivian Lincoln a car worth two hundred thousand. "Mom, I've already helped Vivian so many times—car, job, and now the house. I'm not obligated to keep plugging this hole." Leo Luke suddenly stood up, the sofa cushion slipping crookedly beneath him. "Wendy Scott, how can you be so cold? Vivian is my friend! If you don't sign today, we're getting a divorce!" I froze for a moment, then laughed. Divorce? He's been saying that for three years. Every time I don't give in to Vivian Lincoln, he threatens me with divorce. I lifted my hand and slipped the ring off my ring finger. That ring was bought last year for our wedding anniversary. It was silver, with edges worn shiny from wear. He said he'd replace it with a diamond ring someday, but so far, nothing. I went to the trash can and tossed it in. "Fine, divorce—I've wanted one for a long time." I grabbed my suitcase and had just reached the door when I heard a thud behind me. I turned around and saw Vivian Lincoln kneeling on the floor, clutching my pant leg, tears streaming down like beads breaking loose. Don't be angry, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have asked for the house. Please don't divorce him. My parents passed away early. He's all I have left, so don't blame me. Her voice was choked with tears, sounding unbearably pitiful. I bent down and pulled my pant leg out of her hands. Vivian Lincoln, your parents died early, but I didn't cause that. If you want to blame someone, blame Leo Luke, not me. Three years ago, you wanted a car, so I bought it for you; two years ago, you wanted a job, so I got my uncle to help you land a position at a state-owned company; last year, you said you wanted to learn piano, so I signed you up for private lessons costing fifty thousand. What more do you want from me? Sell me off to get money for you? Leo slammed the table hard, splashing the soup in his bowl onto the tablecloth, leaving an oily stain. Wendy, are you serious? Vivian's parents are off-limits. Bringing them up like that—are you just trying to hit where it hurts? My heart sank, as if a stone had struck me right in the chest. All these years, whenever I argued with Vivian, he was always the first to blame me. Leo, get this straight—she's the one trying to snatch my house, not me bullying her. If you really feel like you owe her, then use your own money to buy her a house. Don't keep eyeing my premarital property. Leo Luke's dad came out of the study holding a newspaper, his face cold as stone. Wendy Scott, your attitude is all wrong! Leo Luke is the head of this family. When he asks you to sign, you sign. Talking it over with you is just to save face. Our Luke family hasn't treated you badly. How can you be so ungrateful? Vivian was still kneeling on the floor, sneaking a glance at me with a hint of smugness on her lips. I drew a deep breath, forcing down the fire burning inside me. "You think I'm unreasonable? Your whole family treats me like an ATM, takes everything I do for granted—how is that being reasonable?" "I'm definitely getting a divorce. I'll hire a lawyer to draw up the papers, just wait and see." As soon as I finished speaking, Leo Luke's dad suddenly threw his newspaper at me. The corner scraped my face and it stung a bit. "How dare you! The Luke Family married you in, not to worship you like some goddess!" I clenched the suitcase handle so hard my knuckles turned white.