But in truth, David Miller had concealed his real plans. He told his family he was just going sightseeing, when in fact, he had gone on an expedition.

To this day, the Miller family believed David was safe on a casual trip, while Mark was the one exploring. Naturally, they were convinced the missing person had to be my brother.

I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly to myself.

After Mr. Miller Sr. spoke, Mrs. Miller Sr. chuckled openly.

“Anna, you should really explain things clearly next time. You nearly gave me a heart attack.”

Richard gave me a disdainful look, then tattled to his parents.

“That’s just how she is. When her brother’s friend called, she wanted to rush all the way to Alaska to rescue him—using our joint marital assets.”

He emphasized that last part, as if afraid his parents might not hear it.

Mrs. Miller Sr. nodded gravely.

“Anna, you can’t spend Richard’s money to save your brother. You two still have a household to run.”

“We sympathize with what happened to your brother, but financially, we really can’t help. You know we’re just an ordinary family. How could we possibly fund a rescue mission that far away? It must cost a fortune.”

“There are professional rescue teams over there already. You just stay home and wait for updates.”

Wait for updates? Updates of what—his death?

I had thought, at the very least, Richard’s parents would have a sense of right and wrong. But no, they were as cold and calculating as their son.

For the first time, I even pitied David.

Whether he lived or died would depend only on his luck.

To protect myself from blame later, I carefully laid out my next words.

“Well, what if it were David who went missing? Would you try to save him?”

All three of them froze, stunned.

Mrs. Miller Sr. recovered first, her voice sharp and trembling.

“How dare you! Cursing my son, are you?”

“Just because your brother is missing, you want my son to die too? You’re jealous, that’s what you are.”

Her voice cracked as she accused me.

At once, I became their target.

Mr. Miller Sr. shook his head in disapproval, calling me disrespectful.

Seeing his mother cry, Richard lost his temper.

He slammed his chopsticks on the table.

“If you don’t want to eat, then leave! If you’re upset we won’t spend money on your brother, then divorce me. Saves us from seeing your sour face every day—we don’t owe you a thing.”

Then, with a glance at Ethan, he smirked and added:

“But remember this—if we divorce, you’ll never see your son again.”

“You—!”

I was so furious I couldn’t speak. Clutching Ethan tightly, I stormed out.

Afraid I might take Ethan back to my parents’ house, Richard quickly chased after me.

The moment he caught up, he shoved me into the car.

I shouted angrily, “Careful! Don’t hurt the child.”

He dismissed my warning.

“So you know how to worry about him? Then why don’t you ever listen to me?”

He slammed the gas pedal, the car shooting forward so fast the buildings outside blurred.

I held Ethan tightly, trembling in fear.

“Not afraid of getting a ticket?”

He ignored me.

Back home, he yanked Ethan from my arms and shoved me into a room, locking the door behind me.

“This time I’ll teach you a lesson. You’ll stay here until you figure things out.”

“You’re just too idle at home, always meddling in things that aren’t your business. Let’s see if you still have the strength to cause trouble after two days without food.”

I pounded on the door with all my strength.

“Richard Miller, you’ll regret this!”

Ethan burst into terrified sobs.

“Mommy, I want Mommy!”

Richard didn’t comfort him—he snapped instead.

“Stop crying! Keep it up, and I’ll lock you in here with her.”

Ethan’s sobs quieted, but I could still hear his muffled whimpers through the door. The sound tore at my heart.

I had never once raised a hand against my son.

I knew Richard was doing this to punish me, to make me too afraid to resist again. He knew he could control me through Ethan at any time.

“Richard, are you even human? Why take it out on the child?”

After shouting that, I fell silent.

I knew the less I spoke, the less Ethan would suffer.

For two whole days, Richard kept me locked inside.

I had neither food nor water.

As he predicted, I no longer had the strength to even think about helping David. I could barely keep myself alive.

Ethan, seeing me pitiful, pushed a cracker under the door.

“Mommy, eat.”

But Richard caught him, throwing the cracker straight into the trash.

“Ethan, be good. Mommy isn’t hungry. Go play by yourself.”

Even without looking at his face, I could sense Richard’s smug satisfaction.

I couldn’t understand how someone could be so cruel.

Two days later, starving and faint, I finally knocked weakly on the door.

“Let me out. I promise—I won’t interfere with your brother anymore.”

I had given in.

Richard was delighted with my surrender. He opened the door, smirking.

“Now that’s more like it. Husband and wife should be united.”

“Don’t worry. If your brother really dies, your parents will have me to help look after them.”

Look after them? From a man this cold-blooded? I almost laughed.

Instead, I went straight to the fridge, grabbed a carton of milk, and gulped it down like someone starved to death.

Richard watched mockingly, but I didn’t care.

Once I’d regained some strength, I asked for my phone.

“Give me my phone. I haven’t checked work messages in two days—I might miss something important.”

Reluctantly, he handed it back.

When I opened it, there were over a dozen missed calls and countless unread messages. Rage surged through me.

“Didn’t you say you’d bring it to me if someone called?”

He shrugged dismissively.

“Your company granted you leave.”

“Oh, so I should thank you, huh?”

I muttered under my breath but stopped, fearing he’d lose his temper again.

I quietly replied to messages, then checked the missed calls—several from unknown numbers, a few from colleagues, and, shockingly, some from my parents.

Richard had lied—he never answered their calls.

I shot him a questioning glare, and for a moment, he looked uneasy.

Just then, Mark Green’s call came through.

Richard barked immediately,

“You can only answer here, on speaker. Otherwise, don’t answer at all!”

Looking at his cold, expressionless face, a fierce wave of vengeance rose inside me.