All Chapters of She Stole My Retirement: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

I clutched the bank statement, my hands trembling uncontrollably. Every number printed on it felt like a red-hot brand searing into my heart.It was the $200,000 my husband and I had saved for retirement. And now, not a single cent was left.I rushed home, determined to get an explanation from my husband, Daniel Carter. But he was sitting calmly on the couch, taking a sip of coffee."Blood runs thicker than water. Stop being so selfish."His words left my mind completely blank.I stormed over to him and threw the bank statement in his face. "You knew all along?"Daniel's expression darkened. Instead of looking at me, he pulled a medical report from his briefcase and tossed it onto the table. "Sophie's brother has leukemia."He pointed at the report, his voice cold as ice. "Are you satisfied now? You accused your child without even asking why. How can you live with yourself?"I stood there, stunned.Leukemia.The fire raging inside me was instantly extinguished by the mention

That night, I tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. The bed in the guest room was small and hard. No matter how I lay, my whole body felt uncomfortable.I got up to go to the kitchen for a glass of water.I had just reached the living room when I heard Daniel speaking in a hushed voice on the balcony.His voice was gentler than I had ever heard it before. "Babe, don't worry. I'll have the money soon. Then, we can finally go on the vacation you've always wanted."Babe?My mind went completely blank. I shoved open the balcony door and rushed outside.Daniel jumped and hurriedly hung up. "What are you doing? Why are you wandering around in the middle of the night instead of sleeping? Are you sleepwalking?"I pointed at his phone, my voice trembling. "Who were you talking to? Who's 'babe'?"A flash of panic crossed his face, but he quickly composed himself and turned the accusation back on me. "What are you talking about? I was talking to a friend about work. You're seriously l

The two of them immediately lit up with excitement.Watching their greedy faces, I continued, "But the deed is back in my hometown. I need to go back and get it."The moment I suggested going back for the deed, Daniel's eyes lit up.He practically jumped at the chance. "I'll go with you. It's not safe to travel alone. I'll come with you so you have someone looking out for you."I sneered quietly. He was afraid I would run away. Afraid I would transfer the deed somewhere else along the way.Fine by me. I had been looking for a chance to talk to him alone anyway.Before we left, the atmosphere at home was strange.Susan and Sophie busied themselves packing my things. They were so attentive, one would have thought I was not going home to get the deed but going off to be crowned queen.As I packed my clothes, I deliberately sighed in front of Susan."If we sell the house, Daniel and I will have to rent a place from now on. He has worked hard his whole life, and now that he is gett

My neighbor, Jessica, was warmhearted and louder than anyone I knew.She loved gathering with a group of older women in the neighborhood garden, chatting about everyone and everything.Early the next morning, she took her phone downstairs.The garden was already bustling.Jessica plopped down among the women and pretended to answer a call. Then, she turned on the speakerphone.Daniel's voice came through loud and clear. "Once the house is sold, Sophie promised to give me $500,000…"The older women around her instantly fell silent. Every pair of ears perked up."Good grief. Daniel looks so honest and harmless, but he's got quite the dark side.""No kidding. He's even plotting against his own wife for money."At that exact moment, Susan and Sophie happened to be walking back with grocery bags. They passed through the garden just as the recording played.The moment Susan heard $500,000, she froze in her tracks. She rushed over to Jessica and snatched the phone from her.After l

I refused Sophie's request.But only a few days later, they still tracked me down at the restaurant where I worked, like flies drawn to rot.That afternoon, there were not many customers. I was mopping the floor when I looked up and saw Daniel and Sophie standing at the entrance.Daniel had grown so thin that he was barely recognizable. Most of his hair had turned white, and he was hunched over like an old man.Sophie looked just as haggard. She was wearing a worn-out, pilled jacket and had none of the polished, put-together appearance she once had.The moment Daniel saw me, he dropped to his knees with a thud.He slapped himself hard, alternating between his hands. The smacks were so loud that everyone in the restaurant could hear them."Emily, I was wrong! I was a terrible husband! I let greed blind me!"He cried as he repeatedly slammed his forehead against the floor. It quickly turned red, thin streaks of blood appearing on his skin."Emily, come home with me. I swear I wi