Chapter 2

2.

The moment I stepped through the front door, the overpowering scent of perfume hit me.

Empty designer bottles were scattered all over the floor.

In just a few days, my mother-in-law had used up my entire collection of luxury fragrances.

I called out for her, but the house was silent.

Even the housekeeper I paid for was nowhere to be found.

The sofa was covered in cheap, gaudy clothes, and a bright red scarf sat right in the center.

Then, I saw my sixty-thousand-dollar custom gown crumpled on the floor like a dirty rag.

It was covered in footprints and lipstick stains.

I rushed into my bedroom to find my makeup vanity in total disarray.

My locked glass wardrobe had been pried open.

My designer bags and evening dresses were strewn across the room.

Even my limited-edition crocodile skin bag had been scratched beyond repair.

In my previous life, this was when she started her second youth.

She used my credit cards to treat her elderly friends to wild nights out.

She even started going to clubs and bars, trying to act like a teenager.

At first, I didn't stop her, thinking it was just a phase.

But after a short three-day business trip, I came back to a looted closet.

She even bragged about it in front of me.

"I'm the boss of this house. Take whatever you want, ladies. We have plenty of money. Look at this house and these brands―my son worked hard for all of this."

Then she looked at me with pure disgust.

"My daughter-in-law is useless since she can't give me a grandson, but she sure knows how to nag my son. I don't know what Greg sees in her. Before they got married, she was so poor she couldn't even afford a winter coat."

Back then, I swallowed my pride for the sake of the marriage.

Greg just laughed it off.

"Jane, you're so successful. You'll make that money back in a month. My mom grew up poor; this is just how she makes friends. Just let her have this."

Greg and I had been together since high school. Ten years of history.

I didn't want to throw it all away, even though I contributed a hundred times more financially than he did.

To save face, Greg told everyone he was the primary breadwinner.

He acted like he bought the multi-million dollar mansion and the luxury cars.

He even took credit for my walk-in closet.

Sure, he picked out the wallpaper, but I paid for every single brick.

His meager salary couldn't even cover the tip at a decent restaurant.