Chapter 3

The condo James and I lived in cost me all of my savings.

When my parents found out I was serious about getting married to him all my privileges were revoked. All I had left was profits from investments I made behind my parents back. James always wanted to live in a luxury condo, and although I never bought into the idea, he kept on insiting that since I was born into wealth and lived in mansions, I wouldn't understand his love for condos. 

I got the condo in his name after he proposed since we couldn't move into his studio apartment at a run down building down town, and he had been so excited. 

He wanted to show it off to his friends so after we got married he hosted a party to celebrate. His friends were all over the place taking about how he hit jackpot with the rich girl. They were everywhere, I caught one of the girls in our room going through my clothes, when I complained to him, he said they were just happy for us and I shouldn't think too much about it. 

"Babe can we talk?" James asked walking into the room, taking a sit on the bed. 

I knew he was about to talk about what happened today, the only time he ever calls me pet names was when he was up to something, every other time I was Penelope to him. 

"Yea, sure" I said dropping my phone. All of this was kind of funny to me, it is like watching your favourite sitcom after mastering all it characters lines. 

"How are you feeling after today?" He asked looking worried, has he patted my hair. He was putting so much effort into this, he actually looked genuine. I moved slightly away from him letting his hand drop from my head, he frowned. 

"Frankly I don't know. There are so many emotions I don't even know how to process" I replied. That wasn't a lie, so much as happened in just one day I was still finding it difficult to absorb it all.

"It will pass with time" 

"So what are we going to do about the inheritance?" he finally asked. He couldn't even pretend to care about my feelings for a little longer?

Scum! 

"We?" I asked looking confused. I plan on enjoying every expression on his face so I sit up so I could face him properly. 

"Of course we. We are married remember? whatever is mine is yours and likewise" he said like I was stupid. 

"Yes we are and I plan on sharing whatever I have with you but this is different." I replied trying so hard to keep a straight face. 

"How is it different?" he asked raising his eyebrow. 

"It is from Nana and she didn't know about you, about us. It just feel weird to share something Nana gave to me with someone she didn't know" 

"That is bullshit. Your Nana would want you to be happy and I am the only one that makes you happy" he responded proudly. The nerve of the bastard. 

"I know that, besides Dad and I already agreed to donate the trust fund money to charity" I replied, quickly hugging the pillow to myself to control the laughter bubbling inside me. 

"How would you agree to such a thing without asking me? I am the head of this house I should make the decisions" He got up from the bed furious. 

"Call your father now and tell him you aren't giving my money to some damn charity" he exclaimed pointing at my phone. It took everything in me not to laugh at this moment. His real colours where showing. How on earth did I miss this? 

"The money isn't yours," I said in a calm voice, appearing timid. 

"Don't play games with me Penelope, call your father now" he said throwing my phone at me. 

"Why are you so angry, you married me knowing my parents disowned me. You said we were going to build our own company, I wouldn't have to rely an my parents, you promised to take care of me" I said, looking at him with teary eyes. 

"How am I supposed to start a company without money" he fired back 

"How are we supposed to raise a family, buy our dream house, raise our kids without money?" he asked looking at me. He was trying to make me feel guilty, he knew how much I love and want kids. "There is enough money to buy a house here in L.A, we would just have to sell the condo to complete payment" I said. 

I loved the house we lived in back in my previous life enough to buy it again. When we got back from Nana's mansion I called to inquire about it and it was still available and we don't have to sell the condo to buy it, I just want him to have nothing I bought with my money in his name. 

"Really?" he asked stilled pissed but he wasn't shouting. 

"Yea, I made sure to keep some money for the house" I assured him. 

"Why didn't we have to sell the condo?" he asked.

"We would have a whole house in our name. You already lived in your dream condo it's time to be a man" he looked a little relieved after I said that. 

"If you want to impress my dad you would have to start the company all by your self" I knew he had no intention of impressing Dad he just wants our money. 

"Besides you told me you had some money saved up for the company" I said remembering how he would always bragged about saving up all his money to start his own company so he couldn't buy me gifts or birthday presents. "That won't be enough for the plans I have" he said. 

Few minutes later, I got up to go use the toilet when it seemed like the discussion was over, then I heard him say, "You could sell your shares in your fathers company and invest it in mine"

How shameless can a person be? I knew everything from my past life won't play out the same but the major events had to be. Back then I had willingly sold of my shares because I thought my parents weren't concerned about me and given all the money to him so he could start up his dream company. Now he is actually asking me to sell the only thing that would have connected me to my family. 

"Are you nuts? I will pretend I didn't just hear that" I said slamming the door when I saw him run towards me. 

"Babe you have to think about it. This is our future, that is your past" 

"At least promise me you will think about it" he added and when he got no reply, he knocked

"Babe?!"

He won't stay there for long, he is too proud to actually beg for anything. I was quiet for a while so I washed my face and exited the bathroom quietly. He wasn't here. 

Did he go out to smoke? James smokes when he is stressed and what could be more stressing than not giving him "his money". I went down to the kitchen to get a glass of milk before heading to bed, walking pass the balcony I heard his voice. 

"She fucking donated my money to charity" "She has been acting weird since she spoke to her father after the reading" 

"Just fucking talk to her and make her invest, this is our future. 

"I can't even stand her right now". 

I walked back to the room, I don't need to guess to know who he was talking to. 

So they want me to invest? Fine. It would be more fun for me to watch it all crumble before him. I laid on the bed when I saw my phone beep.

 "Hi Pen,

  Can we go out tommorow?

  I need all the details about the reading."

So she is really going to try convincing me? How foolish do they think I am. 

 "Hi Van, 

  Sure, we can meet at the same spot. 

  See you tommorow."

I was finally going to meet the band of my existence.