The next morning, Michelle woke up and made her way to the diner. Three of her regulars were ordering their breakfast, and she smiled as she walked inside.

"Hey lady," Magda called out to her. "You look happy. Did someone have a good night in with your husband?"

"You have no idea," Michelle said. "So, what's going on today? Any customers I need to watch out for."

"Unfortunately, yes," Magda said. "Monster in Law is drinking our 'Finest cappuccino" right over there. She is waiting for you."

"What? Why is Britain here in my diner? God, I've avoided her since she embarrassed me so much in front of Bryce's folks."

"Well, she clearly wants something. Note the tapping of the shoes and the clicking of the monster nails. Good luck with her," Magda said.

"Ok," Michelle whined. "But hey, in good news, I want to you come to a party this weekend. Bryce's old house is throwing a big party and I was told to bring my 'hot friends' by his friend. Well, his friend told Bryce to tell me. But you and Sierra should come with me!"

"A party sounds good. I need to get Sierra out of the house. She's been texting Doug, you know."

"Wow, yes, make her come," Michelle replied. "I have a stepmother to see."

Michelle walked over, her pen pad in hand.

"Hello Britain," Michelle said. Her stepmother looked up at her and pasted on a smile.

"Hi sweetie," Britain said. "You know, your menu doesn't have any Paleo friendly diet options."

The book about The Paleo Diet, a stringent plan where you eat basically meat and green vegetables, was probably the only book Britain had ever read.

"Well it is a diner," Michelle said. "We serve grease and fat here."

"I can see that," Britain said as she sneered as she looked Michelle.

"What do you want, Declan?" Michelle often called her by her maiden name, because it made Britain roll her eyes. If only they'd get stuck like that, maybe Michelle's dad would leave her and all the drama she brought with her.

"Well, see, your father has finally accepted that you've left," Britain replied.

"I've been gone for a year," Michelle said.

"Yes, but now that you're married, he's letting me renovate your room. We're going to turn it into a home gym!"

"There are six spare bedrooms, why not use one of those? Even if I am married, that is still where I grew up. My mom used to tuck me into that bed..."

"I'm not here for your permission of to hear your sad 'my mother is dead' stories. I just came to tell you that if you want your stuff, get it or I'll throw it out. My decorator is coming at two, so better get a move on it dear."

"But it's already 9, and I have to work and then go to class."

"Not my problem," Britain said. Michelle turned around and walked up to Magda.

"Cover me," Michelle said. "I have to go and gather up my childhood."

"Good luck with that," Madga said.

***

Bryce was working on his homework when he heard a knock on his door. He closed his book, and looked throw the peephole to see an unexpected face. He opened the door and cocked his head, unsure what to do.

"Mr. Silas," Bryce said. "Hello. Michelle isn't here right now."

"I'm here to see you, we have some things to discuss."

"Come on in," Bryce said, opening the door. Luckily, the apartment was still in good condition after his evening with Michelle.

"So what can I do for you..."

"You may call me Mr. Silas. And I'd like to discuss how you've convinced my daughter to defraud the government."

"Excuse me?"

"I know everything, " Mr. Silas said. "I hired a private investigator, just like your wife is so fond of doing. It appears that you waited all of five seconds to change your aid forms after coming home from your wedding. I knew there had to be a reason why my daughter would slum it with you."

"Sir, I don't know what you're implying. I married your daughter because we're in love."

"No, you married her to get money for school. It was probably her idea; Michelle is very resourceful."

"I think maybe you should go," Bryce said. "My marriage and my finances are not your concern. I've taken better care of your daughter in the last month than you have in over a year."

"Watch your tone," Mr. Silas warned. "I've come here to make up for that. It's come to my attention than my daughter is desperate, enough to marry someone to pay for her schooling."

"Stop saying that." Bryce said.

"Well, my point is, I'd like to propose a counter offer. I will pay you a sum of money to disappear, and I will pay for Michelle's school. All I ask is you sign some papers to annul this marriage and you never see her again."

"Yeah, no," Bryce said.

"Think about it," Mr. Silas said. "I am offering to pay you $200,000. That's a lot of money. And if you care about Michelle, you have to realize that I can take better care of you then her."

"But you don't have a good track record," Bryce said. "And she is MY wife, so I will take care of her."

"I realize you think I'm not a nice guy. But I am. I've done something to prove it to you, an act of good faith. Call your father for me."

Bryce furrowed his brow, but pulledover it his phone. Whatever was going on, Bryce needed to know this millionaire hadn't screwed over his family.

"Dad, hey, it's Bryce. Is everything ok."

"Everything is fantastic," Martin said. "You'll never believe what just happened. I got a phone call, a personal phone call, from Bill Gates."

"Excuse me," Bryce said.

"I got hired at Microsoft. I'd applied for a position months ago, but Bill freaking Gates just called me. On my phone. I got the job."

"Wow, that's incredible."

"They offered me a six figure signing bonus. We'll be able to pay off the house."

"Wow, Dad, that is so exciting," Bryce said, his voice unsteady.

"I got to go, but tonight you and you're wife are invited to go to dinner with us. It's time to celebrate."

"Absolutely," Bryce said. "See you there."

He hung up the phone, staring at Mr. Silas.

"You got my dad a job," Bryce said.

"I did," Mr. Silas said. "I have more than just money, son. I have power. Make friends with me, and I could get you anything. You need assurance to get into med school, I can do that. You want to see if your brother in law gets an award for outstanding public service, I can do that. Name your price, Santiago."

"Why are you so determined to get me away from your daughter?"

"You're not good enough," Mr. Silas said flatly.

"Well, thanks, but no thanks. I'll keep my wife."

"Just consider the offer," Mr. Silas said. "I get it, you love her. The question is do you love her more than having all of your dreams come true, or having financial security? Chances are you'll get divorced soon anyways, so why not do it now? Both of you will be better off."

"I can't be bought, Mr. Silas. I don't give a shit how much money and power you have, I already have what I want. But thanks again for the job you got my Dad."

"Just wait," Mr. Silas said. "I always get the yes, no matter what. I'll find the right angle."

"Good luck with that," Bryce said, slamming the door.

He pulled out the phone and dialed Michelle, leaving a voicemail when she didn't answer.

"Hey Michelle, I have good news. My dad got a job, and we're going to dinner with them tonight. I am super stoked to take you out. Love you."

Bryce clicked the phone off, and shook his head. He hadn't said those words out loud yet, because that was crazy. But after turning down a six figure check and the opportunity to use the Silas name to his advantage, Bryce knew how he felt. He'd never so much as inconvenienced himself for a girl before. He'd just turned away a small fortune for Michelle, and he didn't question it for a moment. He loved her, and it wasn't an emotion. It was a fact.

***

Michelle walked up the stairs to her old bedroom, anger filling her steps. How could her Dad let his bimbo bride destroy her childhood home? She shouldn't have been surprised, not with all the things he let her get away with. She had brought a couple of boxes, and she quickly started piling things into boxes. She stopped as she picked up a familiar picture of her and her mother on Halloween. They'd dressed up as Ariel and Ursula. Her dad had agreed to be a fish after a lot of prompting. Michelle held the photo in her hands, realizing she looked so much like her mother now that she was older. A tear fell down her face.

"Don't worry about me, Mom," Michelle whispered. "I know you're looking out for me."

Michelle felt her phone buzz and noticed she had a voicemail from Bryce. she put it away, deciding to listen to it later. She boxed up some more things, grabbing some extra pillows from the guest bedroom that might look good in her apartment with Bryce. What Britain didn't know, wouldn't hurt her...

Michelle grabbed her boxes, stacking them on top of each other, She started down the stairs, and as her shoes got caught on the bottom step, she dropped all of the things she'd just boxed up. Michelle ran her fingers through her hair once before bending down to pick up her things.

"Looks like you could use a hand," A male voice said from the hallway. Michelle shot her eyes up, recognizing the face.

"Dixon," she said, looking at the man. "Is that you?"

"Yes ma'am," He said. "Good to see you, Michelle."

Dixon was her father's young assistant, who had always been close to Michelle. Since he was always working with her father, Dixon and Michelle had developed a close friendship. She hadn't seen him since the infamous Silas wedding fiasco.

"What are you doing here? Wow, I've missed you."

"You're Dad asked me to swing by," Dixon said. "This is awkward, actually. He told me he had divorce papers to pick up."

"He's leaving the bitch! That is fantastic!"

"Not his papers, Michelle," Dixon said, glancing at Michelle's ring. "Yours. He is setting them up, betting that your marriage will fail. Sorry."

"That's dad, he is very thorough."

Michelle bent down to pick up her things, avoiding his eyes.

"Look, I am sorry about this. And, we never talked about what happened, before."

"We don't need to," Michelle said. "Nothing actually happened."

"When I got the job with your dad at such a young age, I was excited. I never expected us to grow close, and things just went haywire."

"I understand," Michelle said. "Please, let's not do this again. Ok, I am married and you look good. Let's just pretend that nothing awkward or embarrassing ever went on between us, ok?"

"Fine," Dixon said. "So, what is the deal with your husband. Why does your dad think that you're bound to get divorced?"

"Because he is an idiot," Michelle said. "And my husband is fantastic."

"Ok, well, I'd love to meet him sometime," Dixon said.

"We'll see," Michelle said. "Look, I need to go. I have these boxes and classes, and my husband called me. So I need to go."

"Alright," Dixon said. "But for the record, if you need a sympathetic ear, I will always be here for you."

"Sure thing," Michelle said before she grabbed her boxes and left, taking her past with her.