Chapter 1

Ten years ago, to pay for my mother's chemotherapy, I left everything behind and took a job at a high-security research lab in Europe.

I buried myself in my work. Every single patent royalty, project bonus, and paycheck I earned went straight to my wife, Chloe.

I did it all so she and my mother could have a better life.

Not long after I left, Chloe called me. "Babe, your mom is doing much better. But her daily nursing and therapy costs are insanely high."

Hearing that my mother was recovering, I cried tears of joy and promised Chloe immediately, "Don't worry about the money. I’ll handle it."

From then on, Chloe called me every week asking for more cash. I worked myself to the bone, taking on every extra shift possible.

In the blink of an eye, ten years passed. I finally won a ten-million-dollar breakthrough research award, and my lab granted me a long-overdue vacation.

I couldn't wait to wire the money to Chloe and booked the first flight home.

But the moment I stepped off the plane, I was hit with the news of my mother's death.

When I rushed to the funeral home, I walked into the resting room only to find my wife having sex with her childhood friend, Logan.

"Is this exciting? Doing this right in front of the old hag. She probably can't even rest in peace, can she?" Logan sneered.

"What, do you feel bad for her? Then leave. Go find your nerdy scientist husband," Chloe gasped, hugging him tighter. "Oh, come on, who cares about that idiot? He's nothing but our personal ATM."

At that moment, I wanted to kill them both.

I kicked the door open and stormed into the room.

The two of them didn't expect me at all. They panicked, scrambling to pull up the sheets.

Chloe didn't even have time to put her clothes on. "Ethan? Why... why are you back?"

"Chloe, where is my mother?" I growled, my hands shaking with rage.

Her eyes darted around, and then she let out a cold, mocking laugh. "You saw the obituary, didn't you? She's dead."

Looking at her smirk, I lost all control. I lunged forward and choked her.

"You bitch! Did I ever treat you badly? For ten years, I sent you every single penny I made! Is this how you treated my mother?!"

Rage consumed me.

But Logan caught me off guard, shoving me away from behind. Chloe scrambled to hide behind him.

"Are you trying to commit murder?" Logan sneered. "Ethan, if I were you, I’d behave. We still have your mother's ashes. Don't you want them back?"

My heart skipped a beat.

Logan noticed my hesitation and grinned triumphantly.

"If you want your mother's ashes, sign the divorce papers and leave Chloe alone. Otherwise, we'll dump her ashes down the sewer."

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Try me."

Staring into Logan's smug eyes, I backed down.

I couldn't let my mother's remains be desecrated.

I agreed to the divorce.

But I didn't expect Chloe to be so shameless. She demanded a ten-million-dollar alimony payment.

"I took care of your mother for ten years. Even a professional nanny gets paid, right?"

I took a deep breath, clenching my fists. "I gave you all my money!"

"It was all spent on her medical bills. Now, if you want her ashes back, it's ten million. Decide for yourself." Chloe looked at me with disgust, threw on her clothes, and walked out with Logan.

At the door, she paused. "Since you're back, you can pay for the funeral service."

Then, they left.

Looking at my empty bank account, I felt utterly helpless.

I didn't even have the money to settle the funeral home bill. I felt like an absolute failure.

In the end, I had to borrow some money from my lab colleagues to pay the bill. Then, I contacted Clara, the caregiver who used to look after my mother.

That was when the horrifying truth came to light.

Apparently, the moment I left the country, Chloe had moved Logan into our house.

For ten years, she hadn't taken care of my mother at all. She hadn't even paid Clara's salary.

Clara was an orphan and had grown deeply attached to my mother, which was why she kept caring for her for free.

But eventually, Chloe fired her.

"Ethan, I tried to call you a while ago, but your line was always blocked. When Chloe kicked me out, Mary's health was already in terrible shape," Clara said, tears in her eyes.

Hearing this, my heart turned to ice.

Chloe. My mother and I treated you like family, and this is how you repaid us?

I clenched my fists so hard my knuckles turned white. "Chloe, Logan... I will make you pay with your lives."