When I returned downstairs, Grant was washing baby bottles in the kitchen while Marilyn watched the twins in the living room. I placed Eli’s notebook on the counter and told my husband that our son had written an entire list of sacrifices because he believed he had to earn the right to remain in our family.
Grant turned off the faucet and insisted that the situation had been misunderstood. When I demanded an explanation, he finally admitted that our financial difficulties were far worse than he had previously revealed.
“We still owe almost five thousand dollars in hospital bills. Your unpaid maternity leave is lasting longer than expected, and my hours were cut again.”
I knew our finances were strained, but Grant had repeatedly assured me that he was handling everything. Now he was using my limited knowledge of our accounts to justify making decisions about Eli without consulting me.
