Chapter 1

Once the IV drip ran out, I helped Dad into a cab and took him home.

The moment I opened the front door, I heard my husband, Cedric Zimmer, laughing in the living room.

He was on the phone with his sister, Janet Zimmer.

"Ever since I tricked that old man with that escape room card, he's been paying out of his own pocket to buy me expensive food."

Janet's gloating voice came through the phone. "Cedric, you're awful. Aren't you basically draining his life savings?"

With his back to the door, Cedric casually twirled his custom lighter between his fingers.

"He's the one who refuses to ask Susan for money. He chooses to suffer in silence, so who's to blame?" Cedric scoffed. "Besides, he reeks of poverty. Just looking at him irritates me! If he weren't such a decent cook, I wouldn't even let him through the door."

"I heard he even went to that crappy restaurant around the corner to wash dishes. He doesn't even have time to eat, so at least he doesn't have the energy to nag me," Cedric added with a cold laugh.

Standing at the doorway, my whole body went cold. I slammed the door open.

The loud bang startled Cedric. He quickly hung up the phone, his eyes darting around nervously.

"H-honey," he stammered. "Why are you home so early?"

The moment he saw Dad, he covered his nose instinctively.

"Bryan, what's that foul smell coming off you? Did you go somewhere filthy?" he asked sarcastically. "Go take a shower. Don't bring germs into our home."

I helped Dad onto the couch, then turned around and slammed the useless card on the coffee table.

"Why did you give my dad a fake gift card?" I snapped.

Cedric's eyes flickered, but he still lifted his chin defiantly and argued, "What do you mean? I gave him a real one! He must have lost it himself, or…"

His eyes darted to the side as he tried to shift the blame onto Dad. "Or maybe he got greedy and sold the card for cash, then went to work at that restaurant to play the victim in front of you!

"Susan, your dad is so calculating. He hasn't even been here long, and he's already trying to drive a wedge between us."

"Drive a wedge between us?" I laughed out loud, trembling with rage.

"We heard everything you said to Janet on the phone just now!" I shouted at him. "You complain about how my dad smells, yet you expect him to drain his savings just to support you. Do you have no shame at all?"

Cedric's face darkened as he raised his voice angrily. "You eavesdropped on my call? Susan Lambert, where are your manners?

"Besides, your dad really does reek of poverty. Did I say anything wrong?" He crossed his arms and sneered. "All I did was have him do a little more work. Do you really need to make such a big deal out of it?"

His words made my blood boil. I raised my voice right back at him. "My dad skipped his own meals to cook for you! He starved himself sick! And you're saying I'm making a big deal out of it?"

As our argument escalated, Dad clutched my hand, letting out a worried sigh.

"Susie, stop arguing! It's all my fault. I got it wrong," he pleaded. "The card wasn't fake. I was just too dumb to use it. Please, don't fight because of me."

Watching him swallow his pride just to keep the peace broke my heart.

Cedric simply scoffed. "See? He admitted it himself. You're just a daddy's girl. I can't live like this anymore!"

With that, he grabbed his car keys from the coffee table and stormed out.

Dad stomped his feet in panic. "Susie, go after him. Couples shouldn't hold grudges over little things."

I held his hand firmly and whispered, "Dad, I'm not going after him. I don't want him anymore."