تسجيل الدخولI did not expect to see Caleb again. I frowned. “There’s no need to apologize. This is my home, and you’re not welcome here. Please leave.”“Shirley…” Caleb rushed over. As he got closer, I caught a sour, stale smell from him. It looked like he had not bathed in days.I stepped aside and opened the door. I let Peter in the house first.Caleb said, “Shirley, can you lend me some money?”I almost laughed. “No. I don’t have any.”“Listen to me!” He panicked. “They disqualified me from my civil service interview, so I can’t get the job anymore. I don’t have a source of income…”“Then, find another job. What does your situation have to do with me?”I picked up my phone and pressed the emergency call button.Caleb’s eyes reddened. “Shirley, let’s not talk about the past. I was wrong. But right now, I really need you…”“You need my money, you mean?” I snorted.Without my support and Bradley’s pension, it was clear that his life was not as comfortable as before.“It’s not just abo
Miranda’s face turned pale. Her lips trembled, and she could not speak.I pressed play and released the third video.At the entrance of our neighborhood, the main roadway for vehicles was visible.The surveillance footage clearly showed the power-walking mob gathered there without caring for others. They blocked the only exit route the ambulance had.No matter how I pleaded, no one gave way.The livestream instantly went wild.[Who are these people? Shouldn’t their families take them home and discipline them? Walking is fine, but breaking the law isn’t!][They’re the reason treatment was delayed! That’s why Mr. Bradley died! This kind of walking group is terrifying!][The daughter-in-law was practically begging on her knees, and they still refused to move. They were absolutely heartless!]In the next moment, sharp-eyed viewers noticed something.[The one who’s leading the mob… Is that the streamer?][Yes! It’s her! The one with bright red lipstick and curled hair! She’s the
Over the next few days, Miranda and Caleb continued to play the victim on their livestream.The news of a daughter-in-law refusing to help her critically ill father-in-law remained viral.Peter was worried that I would take it hard, so he suggested we go on a trip to clear my mind.I comforted him. “Dad, once I finish what I need to do, I’ll take you abroad. We’ll get away from all this for a while.”When everything was ready, I entered Miranda’s livestream. At the peak of viewer traffic, I requested to join live.The connection went through.My face appeared on the stream.Mirand’s eyes turned red. “Shirley, Bradley and Caleb treated you well. How could you do this to him? How could you be this cruel?“You just stood by and watched him die! Is that how your father raised you?”Her tearful accusations immediately provoked the audience.The comments flooded in. They were vicious and relentless.[So this is the woman who refused to help! Call the police and arrest her!][Don’
After leaving the memorial hall, I was a little worried about Peter.He held my arm. “Shirley, you’ve suffered so much. Why didn’t you tell me?“I used to advise you to endure it because I thought Caleb was a good man and treated you well. But now it’s clear that he’s nothing but a jerk!“We’re done putting up with his nonsense! No more of that!”Peter and I moved out of the marital home and checked into a hotel for the time being.Not long after, my lawyer, Jackson Lockwood, contacted me. He informed me that Caleb had made his position that he agreed to the divorce, but the house would remain entirely his. He refused to give me any share of it.As for the money in my bank account, he claimed it was marital property acquired after marriage. He demanded it be split evenly.It hurt to think about losing the savings I had worked so hard to build over the years. But Jackson was right. It would be difficult for me to recover all of it legally.I did not want any more entanglement wi
Several staff at the memorial hall frowned upon being greeted by such a sight.After all, most people who came to mourn the deceased did not usually dress this ostentatiously and high profile.Peter was worried that things might spiral out of control, so he quickly went over to greet Miranda. “Miranda, it’s good that you’re here.”When they saw Peter show up before them, Miranda and Caleb froze. The next moment, they burst out laughing.Miranda pointed at Peter’s black formal suit and laughed so hard she nearly doubled over.“Everyone, look! This country bumpkin’s so desperate for money that he’s pretending to be dead to scam our condolence money!”Then, Caleb looked at me in my black clothes. He sneered and said, “Shirley, it looks like you still haven’t learned your lesson. You decide to go along with your dad’s nonsense. You’ve really disappointed me.”While saying this, he pointed at my father. “This is all your fault. Look what you’ve turned her into!”I clenched my fists.
Caleb’s expression turned as dark as thunderclouds. He took out his phone from his pocket and was about to call Bradley.But Miranda grabbed his arm and stopped him.“Son, you’re too naive! Shirley can fool you so easily!”She looked at me with her chin held high. “My husband’s nothing like Peter! Peter’s just a country bumpkin. He lacks social connections. But Bradley was a cadre before he retired. He’s got friends everywhere. It’s perfectly normal for people to invite him out for drinks or gatherings that last all night.”“Exactly!”Caleb’s gaze turned cold again. “Shirley, you’re full of lies, and you’re disrespectful to your elders! Stay here and reflect on yourself!”He slammed the door hard and locked it.My lower back throbbed with pain. At the same time, my stomach hurt so much.They locked me inside without leaving me a sip of water. My phone was broken. I had nothing on me.I kicked the door in despair. I cried and shouted. Eventually, my voice faded. My consciousnes







