I signed, slipped off my wedding ring, and stood to leave.
Noreen's voice cut through the air. "Wait."
"Open the purse. Let me see."
I looked at Dale. "You want to search my things?"
"Noreen is the woman of this house now. Do as she says."
I took out my phone, then tossed the purse to Dale.
"Search away."
Dale handed the purse to Noreen.
Noreen rifled through it. "Everything in here was bought with Dale's money, wasn't it?"
"Including the purse itself. You can't take it."
"And your phone."
"The clothes on your back."
Noreen looked me up and down, a smirk playing on her lips. "If you've really got that much pride, leave it all behind."
I turned to Dale. He was gazing at Noreen, soft and indulgent. "Do as Noreen says."
He used to look at me that way. But Noreen's return had changed everything.
I set the phone down without a word and walked back to the bedroom.
Minutes later, I emerged wearing the traditional wedding gown my birth family had custom-made for me.
I never imagined I'd walk into this marriage wearing this dress and walk out of it wearing the same one.
When I stepped out of the bedroom, something flickered in Dale's eyes.