Tessa walked up to Arthur and pushed against his leg. "I know you don't want me and Mommy anymore. You're a bad guy. Go away. We don't want to see you."

When Arthur looked down at Tessa, a flicker of raw heartache crossed his features.

But it vanished just as quickly. He stepped back resolutely and tossed a document toward me.

"I can't give up everything I have now. I'm sorry. I failed you both. You can keep this house. Think of it as compensation. I've already signed the separation agreement. The money will be transferred to your account soon."

The last shred of hope inside me shattered.

In the end, he still chose himself.

…

Arthur did send the money.

I stared at the cold string of numbers in my account and almost laughed.

100 thousand dollars. That was all it took to buy off seven years of my life and his bond with Tessa.

I didn't want to stay in that house in the village anymore. And for Tessa's future, I couldn't.

I planned to use the money as a down payment for a small apartment in the city. At least Tessa would have a chance to attend a better school.

But the day before we were supposed to leave to look for a place, I got a call from my younger brother, Henry Weber.

After graduating high school, Henry had been working odd jobs far away. I only saw him once a year at Christmas.

"Hattie, I wouldn't call unless I had no other choice. I'm sick. I need money for treatment. Can you help me ask Arthur for a loan?"

The words hit me like a hammer. My vision went dark.

Our parents died early. Henry was three years younger than me. We grew up relying on each other.

He didn't have much of a degree or a high-paying job, but every now and then, he'd send me some money and even mail snacks and toys to Tessa.

Now that he was sick, how could I not help him?

I replied, "Don't panic. I'm coming right now. Don't worry about the money. I have it."

After hanging up, I stared at the 100 thousand dollars in my account. All sorts of emotions tangled inside me.

It was supposed to be the money for Tessa and me to start over. Now, it had become Henry's lifeline.

Without hesitation, I took Tessa and rushed to the hospital where Henry had been admitted.

In the ward, he lay on the bed with an IV in his arm. His body was painfully thin.

When he saw me, his eyes reddened, and tears fell. "Hattie, I'm sorry to trouble you."

I swallowed my own tears and held his cold hand. "Don't be stupid. You never have to apologize to me. Help me look after Tessa for a bit. I'll go talk to the doctor and pay the hospital bill."

I stepped out of the ward with my phone in hand.

Just then, everything fell apart.

I received a call from the court.

"Mr. Arthur Hughes transferred marital assets into your account without authorization during his marriage. Ms. Lauren Porter has filed a lawsuit requesting that you return the total sum of 200 thousand dollars. You are required to settle this debt in full within three days."

My mind exploded. I stood frozen in the hospital hallway, my body shaking uncontrollably.

I turned to look back at the ward. Henry was still waiting for that money to save his life. But the court notice locked it in place like chains.

Trapped with no way forward or back, I felt myself breaking.

With the last bit of clarity I had left, I called Arthur. "Why are you doing this to me, Arthur? Are you trying to kill me?"

I continued, "Henry is critically ill. He needs money for treatment. And now you're asking me to return 200 thousand dollars?"

There was a pause on the other end before Arthur's cold voice came through. "I don't have a choice. That money was marital property between me and Lauren. If you really have no way out, go beg Lauren. She's not short on money. She's just suing you to vent."

What right did I have to resist anymore?

Compared to Henry's life, my dignity meant nothing.

…

As I stood in front of the grand villa, the helpers looked me up and down like I was a beggar—or maybe a joke.

When I went inside, Lauren had just taken off a face mask and was gently massaging her skin.

Her smile was mocking, though she pretended to be surprised. "You came to see me to…"

I lowered my head deeply. My throat was so dry that it felt like it was being cut open. "Please spare me. The money Arthur transferred was for our daughter's child support. My brother is seriously ill and needs money for treatment. I can't lose that money."

Lauren raised a brow. "That doesn't sound very sincere. Just saying it isn't enough. If you want me to drop the lawsuit, get down on your knees and slap yourself. I want that on tape. If I'm satisfied, I might consider it."

I glanced at Arthur, who stood there in silence. He only turned his head away.

I closed my eyes.

My knees hit the cold floor with a dull thud.

Lauren held up her phone to record. A satisfied smile played on her lips as she gestured for me to begin.

I raised my hand and slapped myself hard across the face again and again.

The sound was sharp.

Heat spread across my skin quickly.

"Is that enough?" I looked up at them.

Only then did Lauren lower her phone, though her expression suggested she wasn't quite satisfied.

Then, her tone took a sharp turn. "Apologizing is one thing. You still have to return the money. I said I'd consider dropping the lawsuit. I never said you wouldn't have to pay."

The pain in my knees and the burning on my face reminded me of every bit of humiliation.

Just as I was about to break down, my phone rang.

Thinking it might be about Henry, I answered immediately.

A stranger's voice sounded. "Hi, Ms. Weber. I'm Terrell Clemons, the lawyer for Ms. Paula Rodriguez."

I frowned.

Paula's lawyer?

If anything had come up, he should have contacted Arthur.

As I was lost in thought, Terrell continued, "Ms. Rodriguez made a will before her passing and entrusted me to notarize it. All her assets are to be inherited by you. I recently learned that Ms. Rodriguez has passed away. I'm calling to discuss the inheritance process with you."

I froze, wondering if I had heard wrong.

Arthur's family had been dirt poor. Paula had been bedridden for seven years. What inheritance could there possibly be?

And even if there was, it wouldn't be enough to involve a lawyer.

"Are you sure Ms. Rodriguez left her inheritance to me?"

Hearing me ask that, Arthur immediately sensed that something was off. He rushed over. "What inheritance? My mom left something?"

The voice on the phone came through clearly. Both Arthur and I heard it loud and clear.

"Ms. Rodriguez left behind two boxes of gold bars as an inheritance. You, Ms. Hattie Weber, are the sole beneficiary."