Chapter 2

Joseph's POV

Stella's expression turned cold, a mocking smile tugging at her lips. "Joseph, are you serious? You think threatening me with divorce is going to work? Where was all this backbone when your father begged the Budzyn family to take you in?"

It felt as though an invisible hand had closed around my throat, cutting off my breath.

Memories from the past flashed through my mind. Dad used to be the Budzyn family's chauffeur. Ten years ago, Stella's grandfather, Thomas Budzyn, was targeted in a shooting, and Dad took a bullet for him.

At the hospital, Thomas asked him what he wanted in return.

Barely able to breathe, Dad whispered, "Please… just give my son a place in the Budzyn family."

Stella and I had grown up together. When she learned that Dad was dead, she threw her arms around me and cried. "Joseph, don't worry. I'll take care of you for the rest of your life. As long as I'm here, no one gets to hurt you."

But promises never seemed to last. Stella was the one hurting me now.

My heart ached as I looked at Stella and Gatlin together. I forced down the bitterness rising in my throat.

When I said nothing, Stella ran a hand through my hair as though she was petting an animal. "Until those divorce papers are signed, you'll always be my husband."

I knew that as long as Stella refused, no one in Aurelium would dare finalize our divorce.

That left me with only one choice. I had to force my way out.

A slap landed on my cheek, and it swelled almost instantly.

"I told you. The Budzyn family rules are not to be broken!"

Gatlin and several guards blocked my path. The smug smile on his face finally pushed me over the edge. I lunged at him and grabbed him by the collar.

"Who do you think you are? If anything happens to my mom, I swear you'll pay for it!"

I grabbed him by the throat, only for Stella to kick me aside. My head slammed into the corner of a table. The pain nearly made me black out.

"Lock him in the basement. He can stay there and think about what he's done."

Several men dragged me away and dumped me in the basement like a sack of garbage. No matter how hard I pounded on the door, no one answered.

I sank against it in despair. The thought of Mom lying pale and weak in that hospital bed brought tears streaming down my face.

Someone tapped on the door. A weathered hand appeared through the small opening. "Mr. Hawke, please eat something."

It was Martha Winslow, the housekeeper who had watched me grow up. She'd always treated me like her own son.

"Martha, please. I'm begging you. Let me out. I need to get to the hospital…"

"I can't, Mr. Hawke." Helplessness filled Martha's voice. She pulled up her sleeve, revealing scars crisscrossing her thin arm.

I couldn't bring myself to make things harder for her and simply said, "Thank you."

I sank to the floor and stared at the dry bread roll and bottle of water in my hands.

Ever since Gatlin came to live with the Budzyn family, he'd limited my daily food allowance to just ten dollars. A plain roll and water had become my usual meal.

Meanwhile, Gatlin pestered Stella into taking him to expensive restaurants every day, dining at famous places.

I couldn't help laughing bitterly at myself. I was the husband of the richest woman in Aurelium, yet even a stray dog had it better than I did.

I didn't sleep at all that night. It wasn't until the next morning that I finally made it to the hospital.

Mom lay in bed, breathing weakly. Tears spilled from my eyes as I rushed over and took her hand. "Mom, I'm here…"

"Mr. Hawke, you're finally here." The doctor in charge of her case walked in, his face grim. "We managed to stabilize your mother's condition last night, but she's taken a turn for the worse. She needs surgery."

"Then do the surgery!"

The doctor sighed. "I'm afraid there's no money left in your account. Without payment, we can't proceed. You're still short 200 thousand dollars."