Chapter 1

When my mother was in critical condition and needed just five thousand dollars for emergency surgery, Garrett drained every last penny from our account.

He did it all to pay for his first love's mother's surgery.

When I called and begged him for five thousand dollars, he screamed at me: "Leila's mom is fighting for her life! She needs this money right now, so stop making a fuss out of nothing!"

My mother died later that day, and my marriage walked straight into its grave.

1.

I could not believe the words coming out of Garrett's mouth.

My mother was on the brink of death, yet he gave all our savings to another woman's mother!

"Garrett, I am not joking with you," I cried, my voice trembling with desperation. "I do not care who you gave it to. I just need five thousand dollars right now."

"Are you deaf, Nicole?" he snapped back. "I told you Leila's mom needs it urgently. I don't have a single cent for you!"

We had been married for five years, and I had worked tirelessly for five years.

He had always controlled our joint bank account, leaving me only able to check the balance.

Moments ago, my sister had called to tell me we were five thousand dollars short for Mom's surgery.

Before I could transfer the money, Garrett emptied the account completely.

Rage surged through me, but saving my mom was all that mattered.

"Garrett, I am telling you for the last time," I pleaded, holding back tears. "Give me five thousand dollars. My mom is waiting for her surgery!"

In all our years together, I had never once lost my temper at him. This was the first time.

He flared up instantly. "How dare you yell at me, Nicole? Who gave you the guts?"

"I know you hate Leila, but look at the situation! Her mother is dying, yet you're here throwing a tantrum and lying about your own mother!"

"I am not lying! My mom really needs surgery right now!"

Over the years, we had fought countless times because of Leila Ward.

Every single time, he claimed they were "just friends."

Every single time, I swallowed my pride and endured it.

He kept crossing boundaries with her, drinking at bars together, watching sunsets together, and even ordering matching custom couple bracelets.

I tolerated all of it because I loved him, but now he was taking it too far.

Before I could say another word, he hung up on me.

Without a second thought, I rushed toward the hospital while desperately calling every friend I knew.

After begging and scraping together five thousand dollars, I finally reached the hospital.

That was when the doctor delivered the news. My mother was gone.

My knees buckled, and I crashed straight to the cold floor.

My sister, Maisie, rushed over and slapped me hard across the face.

"Why are you even here? Mom is gone!" she screamed.

"For years, you never came back once because of that man! Mom hid her illness from you just so you wouldn't worry!"

"Now she only needed five thousand dollars for a surgery, and you couldn't even give her that! You're such a great daughter, Nicole!"

My eyes burned with agonizing pain. I couldn't utter a single word.