Your Love, Under the Fading Night

After ten years of marriage, my wife still insists that my daughter and I must report every cent we spend.

Even though she’s extremely wealthy, my daughter and I were locked in the basement for three days and nights without food. It was all because I forgot to tell her I bought a $5 pair of socks.

I used to think she was just emotionally cold. Until one day, her recently divorced first love came over with his son, asking to stay for a while.

That man accidentally ordered a hundred pairs of LV sneakers online. Then when the $10,000 bill arrived, my wife just signed the receipt and swiped her card without a second thought.

Another time, his son took my wife’s Rolls-Royce for a joyride and crashed the million-dollar car into a wall. She didn’t even care about the damage and got worried about the boy's injury instead.

“If he likes it, I’ll just buy him another one,” she said with a smile.

When my daughter and I were finally let out of the basement, we saw my wife casually buying $3,000 worth of video game skins for that same boy.

When she saw us, her face tightened as usual. “Did you realize your mistake? Next time you spend money, remember to report it first.”

For the first time in ten years, I talked back. “What if I don’t? Are you going to divorce me again?”

For years, “divorce” had been her sharpest weapon against us. She froze for a second, then said coldly, “Yes.”

“Then let’s do it,” I said.

——

Theresa stared at me like she didn’t believe what she heard.

“Divorce? Just for something this small?”

“Correct.”

Realizing I wasn’t joking, my wife gave a short laugh, waved her hand impatiently, “Don’t be ridiculous Paul. I don’t have time for your drama. Go bathe your daughter, she hasn't cleaned up for three days. It’s embarrassing.”

She seemed to forget she was the one who locked us up. Watching her walk away, my chest ached.

“Daddy, I’m hungry… Why does that boy get to eat so many good things?”

My little girl, Anne, clung weakly to my clothes, watching Gregory’s son eat steak, pizza and snacks. Cedric was only a year older than Anne, yet twice her size.

Seeing my daughter’s pale face made my heart twist.

The three days without food didn’t just starve us, they killed what little affection I still had left for Theresa. That was when I decided to take my daughter and leave.

Hiding in the corner, I nervously called my former teacher Billy Thorsen. He listened quietly to my story. For most of the call, he said nothing and that made my heart sank.

Until he sighed and finally said, “I have a job for you. If you bring Anne, I can provide housing. The pay isn’t much, but it’ll be enough for you two to survive.”

Tears filled my eyes. “Thank you, Sir. I’ll definitely come.”

Years ago, I disappointed Billy by giving up my design career and rejecting the big company he recommended. I chose to stay home and support Theresa over all those. Now, broke and desperate, he was the only one still willing to help.

Billy was abroad at the moment, but would return in a month. As soon as he came back, I’d take Anne and leave this house for good.

For now, I just needed to find her something to eat. Three days without food made our bodies at the limit.

I went to our house butler and said politely, “Please give me 30 dollars. I want to buy dinner for Anne. She’s fainted several times from hunger.”

The butler didn’t even look at me. “Did you report your spending to Madam? Without her signature, I can’t release any funds.”

I looked around helplessly and noticed that Theresa was already gone. I then called her, but she didn’t answer.