She pressed herself against me, clinging.

But now, every time I looked at her, the images from those videos flashed through my mind. My stomach turned.

"Won a little money at cards last night. I'm exhausted. Going to sleep." I pushed her away.

That made Beverly angry.

"You! I went and got your water for you!"

"I said I'm going to sleep. Don't bother me."

I shot her a look.

She stormed out and slammed the door behind her.

Around noon, I was jolted awake by someone pounding on the door.

I opened it. Beverly stood in the doorway, and right beside her was that acid-tongued mother of hers.

"Thaddeus Dickerson! You think you're a big man now, is that it? Gambling all night, not coming home, making Beverly cry?"

Mrs. Fox jabbed a finger at my face, spittle flying with every word.

Beverly stood behind her, eyes rimmed red, playing the part of the wronged little wife to perfection.

"Mom, Thaddeus won money yesterday and flat-out refused to let me hold onto it for him. I was just worried he'd go off the rails and start keeping some woman on the side..." Beverly sniffled between words.

Listening to her nearly made me laugh out loud.

That was when Great-Grandpa's voice rumbled to life again.

"Boy, quit wasting your breath on her! Fortune's riding with you now. Lay your cards on the table! By the time today's over, she'll wish she'd never been born!"

I narrowed my eyes, then walked over and dropped onto the living room couch. Lit a cigarette.

"You know what, Mom? Beverly's right. I have gone bad."

I blew a slow ring of smoke and watched Beverly through the haze. "So let's get a divorce."

The room went dead silent.

"You... what did you just say?" Beverly's eyes went wide.

"I said divorce." I gave her a flat look.

"Thaddeus! Have you lost your mind? You get a little money and suddenly you want to throw away the wife who stood by you? I'm telling you right now, not a chance in hell!"

Mrs. Fox snapped out of her shock and lunged at me, nails first, screeching like a banshee.

I pinned her with a cold stare. "Fine. No divorce. But here's the thing. Yesterday I borrowed five million dollars from loan sharks to play cards. Lost every cent. The guys I owe said they're coming this afternoon to take my hands."

"Since we're staying married, that's marital debt. Beverly, you're on the hook for it too."

"What?! Five million?!"

Both of them screamed at the same time.

"No! I'm not paying your debts!"