Lucia's family lived in the countryside and had always favored sons over daughters. Even though Clement and I had graduated from the same university, they still acted like I wasn't good enough for him.
Every time they humiliated me, every time they made me feel small, Clement would take my hand and tell me to bear with it. Family harmony above all.
Then, after I'd been torn down until there was nothing left of my dignity, he'd pull me into his arms, his eyes full of tenderness.
"I'm sorry you have to go through this, babe."
I knew that once Clement found out it was actually my mother who won the lottery, he'd come crawling back.
So I took her to stay at a hotel ahead of time and listed the house with a real estate agent.
But it wasn't long before the agent called with bad news. The house couldn't be sold.
Clement, unable to find me, had hired a locksmith to break in. He'd moved himself right in.
Every time the agent brought potential buyers to view the property, he'd come at them with a hammer, screaming until they fled.
"This is my fucking house! Try to sell it and see what happens!"