It belonged to Frank.

He was entitled to decide whether to sell it.

But Isabelle had begun relying on promises he’d made about helping her through a difficult financial period.

A household debt had become a source of tension between us.

We could manage the payments, but slowly.

Frank kept offering to make things easier.

Then, whenever Isabelle disagreed with him, he’d remind her that he didn’t have to help.

I disliked that arrangement.