On the first day of our marriage, my husband threw a greasy dishcloth in my face and said, “From now on, you’re my family’s maid.” I smiled, left my wedding ring on the table, and walked out with my suitcase.

The agency liked my portfolio and hired me on the spot.

With housing, a job, and a lawyer secured, I finally agreed to a meeting at a public coffee shop downtown. Brandon arrived with his parents and their family lawyer. I went to the meeting with Donald and my cousin Justin.

Brandon demanded the return of the four hundred and fifty thousand dollars, half of the wedding expenses, and a public apology from me.

“You took all the money and ran away the very next day,” he said with an angry expression. “That is legal fraud.”

Donald opened his legal folder calmly.

“The money was legally deposited into an account in Melanie’s name as a wedding gift,” Donald explained. “If you want to claim it back, you will have to prove to a judge that fraud occurred, and we will also have to discuss your threats, harassment, and domestic violence.”