Chapter 2

"That's your problem," I said. "Why don't you ask Hannah to pay for it?"

I picked up the bag containing my brand-new laptop and left the store without sparing a single glance at Julian.

Julian's indignant voice resounded from behind me. "You're a selfish and self-centered bitch, Charlotte! You'll regret this!"

I hailed a cab that drove me to my new rental apartment.

My phone began vibrating nonstop the moment I sat down. Julian had bombarded me with a string of voice messages.

"I don't care how you do it. I want you to wire 19,000 dollars into my bank account by 8:00 am tomorrow. Hannah's freaking out because of the little stunt you pulled. She's so nervous that she can't even swallow a single bite of her dinner.

"She already has a weak stomach. Are you going to take responsibility if she ends up developing a stomach illness that affects her performance during the exam?"

Listening to his voice messages, I couldn't help but feel that Julian had a few loose screws in his head.

When I worked overtime until my stomach started bleeding, he posted pictures of himself and Hannah enjoying tea on his social media account.

Now, he was acting as if his entire world was falling apart just because she missed one meal.

I booted up my laptop and logged into my online banking account. I then pulled up the bank statements for the past three years.

I had trusted Julian completely back then, which was why I never questioned our household expenses. However, at that moment, I was determined to dig up every single expenditure that he made.

I felt like I was being slapped over and over again as I scanned the countless records on the screen.

He had spent an average of 3,000 dollars per month on high-quality meals, 24,000 dollars per year on a private VIP room to study for the civil service exam, and 8,000 dollars per visit for VIP sales services in Chanel's female clothing department.

My fingers trembled slightly as I stared at the 8,000-dollar transaction, and a memory suddenly resurfaced.

During winter last year, the soles of the leather shoes that I had worn for three years finally gave out. When I told Julian I wanted to buy a new 100-dollar pair, he snapped at me.

"We're already under so much financial pressure because of the loan. Can you act a little more mature? Just keep wearing the shoes if they haven't fallen apart yet. You need to learn how to spend your money wisely."

At the same time, he had bought a pair of leather high heels for Hannah that cost 1,000 dollars. Not only that, but he'd also spent another 300 dollars on a scarf for her.

Julian's excuse was that Hannah needed to attend an important interview, so she needed to dress appropriately.

I realized that my three-year marriage had been nothing but a huge joke from start to finish.

My phone lit up again. Julian had sent a long text to me since I didn't respond to his voice messages.

"You're a grown woman, Charlotte. Don't you feel embarrassed being jealous over a young woman who's doing her best to improve herself? If you behave yourself and send the money over, I'll ask Hannah to treat you to a nice meal once she passes her civil service exam."

A few seconds later, I received a voice message. Hannah's voice echoed from the receiver.

"Julian told me that you're in a bad mood, Charlotte. Please don't be mad at him. It's all my fault. I'll just give up on the civil service exam. I don't want you two fighting because of me."

I had to hand it to her. She was a master at playing the victim.

As expected, I received a message from Julian a few moments later.

"Did you listen to Hannah's voice message? She's so mature! She's the complete opposite of you, you calculating wretch! Wire the money to me right now! I'll never forgive you if you don't!"

I ignored Julian's furious demands. Instead, I organized the bank statements into a folder and emailed them to Cecilia Lawson, my former college classmate who worked as a lawyer.

"I need your help, Cecilia. How much money can I get if I win a case of dissipation of marital assets?"

Cecilia replied within seconds.

"How much money did he use on the mistress?"

"Based on my initial estimate, around 300,000 dollars."

"Alright. Leave it to me. I'll make sure that they pay back every penny that they owe you. With interest."

I closed the laptop and breathed out a long sigh.

I wasn't just going to cut Julian's and Hannah's off financially. I was also determined to rip off their masks and expose them for the money-hungry scum that they were.