Chapter 2

I dragged my suitcase over, stopping right in front of him, and took one last look at his face.

The face I had once loved so deeply now looked incredibly foreign and disgusting.

"Bradley," I said calmly. "You will regret this."

"Regret? The only thing I regret in this life is marrying a miserable, useless woman like you!"

His angry voice echoed behind me, followed by Martha’s sharp, mocking laughter.

I didn't look back. I pulled my suitcase and walked out of the house.

The moment I stepped out of the neighborhood, the calm facade I had fought so hard to maintain crumbled instantly.

I crouched by the curb, tears streaming down my face uncontrollably.

It wasn't for my failed marriage. It was for my mother, who was currently fighting for her life in the ICU.

My phone rang sharply. It was the hospital.

"Is this Ms. Chloe Jenkins? Your mother’s condition has suddenly worsened. We need to perform emergency surgery immediately. Please come down to settle the deposit and sign the consent form as soon as possible!"

"How much is it?" My voice was trembling.

"The surgery fee and the subsequent imported medications will cost at least fifty thousand dollars."

Fifty thousand dollars.

It felt like a mountain crashing down on me, cutting off my breath instantly.

I wiped my tears and caught a cab to the hospital as fast as I could.

The corridor outside the ICU was terrifyingly quiet, save for the monotonous beeping of the life-support machines.

Through the thick glass, I saw my mother’s pale face covered by an oxygen mask, her body hooked up to various tubes.

The doctor held the critical condition notice, his expression grim.

"Ms. Jenkins, you must make a decision right away. We've bought you some time, but the billing window closes in an hour. If the payment isn't made, we cannot schedule the surgery."

I clutched that cold piece of paper, a deep sense of helplessness washing over me.

"Doctor, please, prepare for the surgery no matter what. I will find a way to get the money right now."

Walking out of the doctor's office, I started making frantic phone calls.

"Hey, Lily, I urgently need some money. Can you lend me some?"

"Oh, Chloe, I’m so sorry. I just bought a house, and my monthly mortgage is suffocating me. I really can't help right now."

"Boss Vanessa, my mother is critically ill. Is there any way I can get an advance on my salary?"

"Chloe, the company has policies, and you're making this very difficult for me. Besides, you've taken so many days off lately, and your projects are delayed. There won't be any bonus for you this month."

One call after another, but all I got were excuses and rejections.

The cold reality of human nature was laid bare in that very moment.

Time was ticking away, minute by minute. Sitting on the plastic bench in the hallway, I felt completely drained of energy.

Just then, a smug, mocking voice echoed from above.

"Oh, look who we have here. Isn't this my runaway wife? What’s the matter? Run out of money? Nowhere to go?"