Chapter 2

Lydia's carefree voice came from the other end of the line. "Christian, Joey's school is organizing a summer camp. It costs one thousand dollars. All the other kids are going. If I don't sign him up, I'm afraid he'll feel left out…"

The moment Christian heard that, he rushed to reassure her. "Don't worry. I'll go withdraw the money right now. Wait for me."

He hung up, all the madness from earlier gone from his face. He grabbed his jacket and slammed the door behind him without looking back.

I collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air. But I still felt suffocated.

Christian was right. Legally, we were husband and wife. If the pension he had claimed by concealing my parents' death was identified as fraudulent, it would be hard for me to distance myself from it as his spouse.

And there would also be fines. In my current situation, where would I get the money to pay for all of it?

But if I didn't report him, was I supposed to just let my parents' bodies lie in a freezer? And let this animal go on as if nothing had happened?

My tears suddenly broke loose. I cried for my parents who had died in vain, for my daughter who was battling a serious illness, and for myself, for the ten years of my life I had wasted in this marriage.

I was going to get a divorce, even if it killed me.

It was 2:00 a.m. when Christian finally came home. He was carrying a takeout bag of tacos and set it on the table.

"Dear, you didn't eat tonight, right? Don't go hungry. It's bad for your health."

I stared at the food but didn't take it. My stomach churned.

"You gave her money again?"

Christian quickly waved his hands. "No! I just went to talk to Lydia. I told her not to overthink things. We should live according to our means, right? A one-thousand-dollar summer camp isn't something she should even consider."

I paused, thinking it through. Since there was an issue with the bank, this month's pension payment hadn't come through yet. So Christian really shouldn't have had extra cash on hand.

I looked at him. "Christian, when you first set your sights on my parents' pension, was it for Lydia? I want the truth."

He avoided my gaze. After a few seconds of silence, he spoke. "I swear it wasn't. At first, I just thought the extra 2,500 dollars would make things easier. I thought it would give you and Alina a better life. Lydia came later."

I wanted to laugh. He said he had thought of me and Alina. But in reality, I had never seen a single cent of my parents' pension.

I turned toward the closet and pulled out a few sets of clothes. "I'm going back home tomorrow."

His face fell instantly. "Why would you go back now? What if…"

"Relax. No one will find out. I just want to see my parents."

Christian let out a breath of relief. He stepped closer, trying to take my hand. But I dodged him.

He withdrew his hand awkwardly and said, "Dear, I'm sorry. I really just lost my head for a moment. But things have already reached this point. We can only make the best of it now.

"When Alina gets better, we'll immediately file for your parents' deaths and give them a proper burial. I promise I'll cut Lydia off. From now on, my heart will only hold you and our daughter."

I smiled. His promises had long since become worthless to me.

I packed quickly, got up, and said softly, "I'm heading out to set up my stall. Remember to take my place at the hospital tomorrow morning. Take good care of Alina."

He agreed readily. I didn't say more.

Downstairs, I walked toward the spot where I had parked my food cart. I was calculating how many portions I'd need to sell that night to cover Alina's hospital bill the next day.

But when I reached the spot, I froze. The cart was gone.

That cart was my means of livelihood. My heart dropped. I searched the area frantically. I even asked several neighbors, but they all shook their heads, saying they hadn't seen it.

Panic consumed me. With trembling hands, I called the police. They arrived quickly and pulled the security footage from the entrance of the market. When the video played, a chill ran down my spine.

The person who had taken my cart was none other than Christian. And the timestamp was right after he had received Lydia's call and rushed out the door.