Chapter 2

When I walked through the door that evening, my in-laws immediately started throwing passive-aggressive digs at me.

"You can’t even give my son a child, and you can’t even bother to come home early to take care of your husband. Where were you raised?" Martha sneered.

Arthur chimed in, "Because of your useless womb, our family has been the laughingstock of our conservative hometown for years. You’re a complete waste of space."

I secretly found it hilarious.

Back when we got married, they were terrified I’d look down on them for being dirt poor. They used to practically kiss the ground I walked on.

Now that they had a pregnant mistress lined up, they suddenly grew a backbone?

Ethan quickly cut them off.

He gave his parents a warning look, then turned to me with a plastic, loving smile. "Chloe, babe, my parents missed me and wanted to stay over for a few days. You don't mind, right?"

I knew exactly why they were here—to play their parts in Ethan's little scam.

My in-laws stared at me, their small eyes glinting with excitement.

But I was even more excited than they were.

Holding back a smirk, I welcomed them in. "Of course not. With Mom and Dad here to look after you, Ethan, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief."

They completely missed my double meaning and simply gave me a cold, dismissive grunt.

Throughout the evening, I played the doting, gullible wife. Over dinner, I casually brought up a "friend" of mine.

"It’s so scary," I sighed dramatically. "A guy at my gym just died of a sudden brain aneurysm. He was so young, and he had absolutely no symptoms. But once it ruptures, it’s over. By the time the ambulance got him to the ER, he was already brain dead."

I looked at them with mock concern. "You guys really need to take care of yourselves. We should all get regular checkups."

Ethan and his parents exchanged a quick, knowing look, their minds clearly spinning.

A little later, I made an excuse to run to the grocery store.

Sitting in my car in the parking lot, I opened the hidden security camera app on my phone. I had installed tiny cameras around the living room the day before.

Sure enough, the three of them were huddled together, whispering gleefully.

Ethan was on the phone, practically glowing with pride. "Luna, babe, forge a brain aneurysm diagnosis for me. I’ll pretend to be admitted to your clinic for treatment. We’ll drain the old hag’s bank accounts together, and then we’re golden. We’ll be living the high life soon."

His phone was on speaker. Luna’s sweet, dripping voice giggled over the line, promising to get it done.

I smirked and closed Snapchat.

Enjoy your dream life while you can, sweetie. You won't live long enough to spend a dime.

When I got back, Ethan was waiting for me, holding a tablet with the forged medical report. Tears were welling in his eyes. "Chloe... I’m sick. The treatment is going to cost a fortune. Maybe I should just give up. I don't want to ruin your future. Keep the money and live your life."

I fought the urge to gag. "Ethan, don't say crazy things like that. I’m taking a sick day tomorrow. I’m going with you to the hospital to get a full examination."

Ethan nodded tearfully, the greed in his eyes practically overflowing.

But what he didn't realize was that he wouldn't make it to the hospital.

The very next morning, his real illness struck.