I Escaped My Stingy Husband

Married for a full ten years, every single penny in this house has to pass through Mike Collins' hands. My daughter Stacy and I, no matter what we want to buy, have to explain the purpose and price to him beforehand and get his approval before we dare spend any money. That afternoon, I took Stacy to the convenience store at the neighborhood gate to buy a homework notebook. Passing by the accessories section, Stacy's eyes suddenly locked onto a pink hair clip — the hairpin decorated with a tiny pearl, glowing softly under the light, priced at five. "Mom, this hairpin is so pretty, I want it." Stacy tugged at my shirt, her eyes shining bright, her voice full of hope. I ruffled her hair, thinking it was just five, no big deal, and smiled, saying, "Okay, Mom will buy it for you." We didn't get a chance to tell Mike Collins beforehand; we just paid and went straight home. It was just after seven when Mike Collins got home from work. He had just taken off his shoes when his eyes caught the pink hair clip on the coffee table, and his once calm face instantly darkened. "Who told you to waste money like that?" He walked over, picked up the hairpin, his voice cold as ice in the dead of winter, without a hint of warmth. Stacy got scared and quickly hid behind me, her small hand gripping my clothes tight, whispering softly, "Dad, I like this hairpin..." "Just because you like something, you think you can break the rules?" Mike Collins abruptly cut her off, his eyes sharp and fixed on me, his tone full of blame, "You're the mom, and you don't even know how to teach your kid properly? Have you forgotten the rules at home?" I clutched the edge of my shirt, my palms sweaty, quietly explaining, "It was only five, I didn't think it was a big deal, and Stacy really liked it..." "Not a big deal?" He sneered coldly and slammed the hairpin back onto the coffee table with a loud 'snap.' "I'm the one in charge of this family! Without my permission, not a single cent can be spent recklessly! Do you even see me as the head of this household anymore?" Before I could say anything more, he grabbed my wrist and then pulled Stacy's arm, dragging us forcefully toward the basement. He pulled my wrist so hard it hurt like hell, and Stacy was so scared she started crying, but he didn't loosen his grip at all. The basement was dark and damp, filled with a musty smell, and only a tiny window in the corner let in a faint bit of light. He pushed us inside and locked the door from the outside. "You'll stay here and reflect for three days. Think carefully about what the rules are, what should be done, and what shouldn't." His voice came from outside the door, then the footsteps slowly faded away and disappeared at the stairwell. Stacy held onto my arm, sobbing, "Mom, I'm scared... I'm hungry..." I touched her head, tears I couldn't hold back fell down, dripping onto her hair. I forced down my pain and fear, softly comforting her, "Sweetie, hang in there. Once Dad cools down, he'll let us out." But during those three days, Mike Collins didn't come to see us once, nor did he bring a single bite to eat or a sip of water. Stacy and I were so hungry we couldn't bear it anymore, so we pressed ourselves against the window crack and caught the rainwater leaking in to drink, barely holding on. Stacy's face grew paler day by day, and her eyes lost all their spirit. Watching that hurt me like a knife stabbing my heart, but there was nothing I could do.