Fifty Million to Walk Away

Comments flooded the live chat.

'Is she dumb or what? Why isn't she grabbing the cash already? He's got HIV for god's sake!'

'Girl, it's 50 million. You don't need to worry for the rest of your life!'

I kept my head low. My shoulders were trembling slightly. To Jesse Fleming, I seemed to be shaking from rage, but I was actually suppressing my laughter.

Since he was about to die, all his wealth would eventually be mine. So why should I just walk away with 50 million?

"Sarah Fulton!" Jesse looked at me with disgust as I tore the papers into pieces.

"You're pushing your luck. 50 million isn't enough for you? Don't forget how you got into my bed in the first place." His undisguised contempt dragged old memories to the surface.

Indeed, I was the other woman who won. I clawed my way past all his lovers and forced out his first wife.

When she left, she cursed me viciously, saying that a heartless man like Jesse could abandon me for someone else tomorrow, just as he had abandoned her.

I merely laughed it off. Over the years, I used his influence to build a career, almost forgetting that dirty past completely—until he brought home that street girl, Gina Petersen.

He bragged to his friends, "You guys have no idea. Gina used to be so defiant, but after I trained her, she became so obedient."

Thinking back, the whole thing felt absurd.

"Sarah, I don't have time for this." Jesse's voice snapped me back to reality.

I looked up with reddened eyes brimming with shattered devotion. "I don't want money, Jesse. I want you."

The disdain in his gaze deepened. "Drop the manipulative act."

Just as tension hit its peak, the door swung open. Gina strutted in on heels. Her once fiery red hair had been dyed sleek black. She was trying hard to play the perfect innocent girl Jesse liked.

"You shameless old hag," she snapped. "Still trying to cling to Jesse? Look at yourself in the mirror. You're just an old, vain parasite. Take the money and get out already!"

Toward the end, she noticed Jesse frowning and instantly changed her tone. Tears welled in her eyes as she rushed to his side and clung to his arm.

"I'm sorry, Jesse. I was mean. I shouldn't have spoken so harshly. It's just that my heart aches for you. I don't want you being bothered by women like her."

Jesse clearly liked what he heard. The annoyance in his eyes vanished, replaced by indulgent admiration.

He then looked at me. "Gina changed for me. She's kind and innocent deep down. But look at you. Over the three years we've been together, you've just become more calculating."

The live chat was rolling.

'Whoa. She nailed the innocent act. She was still partying at a club last night!'

'More importantly, she gave Jesse HIV! She's evil.'

Jesse once again slid the new divorce papers toward me. "Cut the nonsense. Sign it."

Just then, his phone rang, and he got up to answer it on the side. Only Gina and I were left in the living room. The innocent look on her face vanished immediately and was replaced with smug provocation.

She tugged at her collar, revealing the dark marks on her neck. "See that? Jesse can't get enough of me. He says I'm way more fun than a dead fish like you."

The live chat exploded once more. 'Holy cow! Those are HIV rashes. This psycho is spreading it everywhere!'

I felt like puking. Jesse was filthy beyond belief.

However, I maintained a courteous smile. "Men like to have fun. You're just his newest obsession. If you're capable, keep him entertained for the rest of his life."

Viewers were incredulous.

'Did I hear her right? Is Sarah a saint? She's refusing the divorce and encouraging her husband to keep a mistress.'

'She deserves what comes her way for staying with him!'

Jesse returned from his call to see Gina and me standing face-to-face, so he assumed I had been bullying her.

Just as he was about to raise his voice, I flashed him a smile and said in my most humble voice, "Since Jesse loves you so much, I won't go against him. It's fine. I'll move out of the master bedroom. You can have it instead, Ms. Petersen. I'll take the guest room."

The moment the words left my mouth, both of them froze.

The live chat also lost its mind. "Giving the mistress the master bedroom? Is she insane? I can't believe this!"

Satisfaction replaced the rage in Jesse's eyes. I noticed the red marks on his neck and turned away with a knowing smile.

Late that night, while muffled sounds drifted out from the master bedroom, I calmly dialed the butler, Collin Wiley's, number. "Collin, buy some herbal tonic tomorrow. Something for stamina. After all, I can't let him wear himself out."