Chapter 3

3.

When I rushed to New York Presbyterian Hospital, my legs gave out. I knelt by the bed, gripping my mother's hand.

Her voice sounded like it was coming from another world through the oxygen mask.

"Harper, don't beg him for me."

When Mom first got sick, Julian arranged the best VIP suite. He canceled multi-million dollar merger meetings just to come take care of her.

When I hid in my room refusing to eat, he would come back just to feed me.

"With me here, Mom will be fine."

But later, he got addicted to our cat-and-mouse game. None of his promises were real.

I went to the billing department. Just as I thought, my mom's insurance limit was frozen. All out-of-pocket drugs were stopped.

I turned around and saw Julian and Chloe walking in.

I couldn't help but approach them, eyes red.

"Did you stop my mom's medical funds? Or was it Chloe?"

Julian's face darkened instantly.

"So it really was you. You bought bots on Twitter to accuse Chloe of embezzling public funds?"

I looked confused. Chloe walked up with a tearful voice.

"Mrs. Sterling, the company is cutting costs. I didn't mean to target you. Please stop letting those internet trolls attack me..."

The more her voice trembled, the more disappointed Julian looked at me.

"Harper, I tolerated your tantrums before. But Chloe works hard for the company. How do you have the nerve to frame her?"

"Apologize to her. Now!"

I held onto the wall to stay standing, roaring weakly.

"Just divorce me, okay? Let's split the assets now!"

My words clearly stunned Julian. He opened his mouth but no sound came out.

Chloe’s weeping voice cut in.

"Mrs. Sterling, please don't bring up divorce because of me."

"Julian works so hard every day. I feel so bad for him. Please don't add to his stress. Please."

As soon as she finished, passersby in the hallway cast scornful looks at me.

As if I was the unreasonable crazy woman.

Julian rushed to comfort her, looking at me with pure loathing.

"The divorce talk is fake. You just want alimony to cause trouble, right? What scheme are you cooking up to hurt Chloe now?"

"If you want money, get on your knees and apologize to Chloe!"

I froze.

Julian once swore before a priest that he would provide for me forever. That I would never worry about money.

But that was before.

I bit the inside of my cheek until it tasted like metal.

I was about to bend my knees when Chloe pretended to help me up.

"Harper has lived such a privileged life, she doesn't know how hard it is to make money. Since you humiliated other girls, you should show some real attitude. Start an Instagram Live and apologize."

"Apologize, and I'll transfer the money."

A brief silence followed.

Julian's eyes were complicated. "Right. You should feel that shame. Didn't you like stripping those girls? Then you should strip and apologize to everyone."

I looked at Julian in shock.

"Julian! I am your legal wife!"

Just then, the critical alarm for my mother screamed from my phone like a nightmare.

My mind went blank.

Julian glanced at it lightly, then ordered me with even more confidence.

"Since your mother needs medical fees urgently, you better decide fast."