Chapter 3

I raised an eyebrow, pulled out my phone from my bag, and opened the voice recorder.

"Great. Let's divorce."

"Let's go to the courthouse right now. Whoever chickens out is a coward."

Ethan froze.

He never expected that I, the wife who used to cater to his every whim, would agree so easily.

Panic flashed through his eyes.

He couldn't leave me. More accurately, he couldn't leave my money.

His toxic mother was still in the hospital waiting for a kidney transplant, and I was the only one who could pay for the surgery.

Even Ethan’s current job was secured through my father's connections.

Once divorced, he would have absolutely nothing.

Ethan’s tough facade crumbled instantly, and his tone softened.

"Babe, why are you taking it so seriously? I was just talking out of anger."

"We’ve been together for so many years. How can we just throw it all away?"

"Leo is still young. You’re the adult here, don't lower yourself to his level."

He tried to reach for my hand, but I slapped it away in disgust.

"Don't touch me. You make my skin crawl."

Seeing this, a flash of resentment crossed Veronica’s eyes.

She secretly pinched Leo’s hand.

Understanding the cue, Leo immediately threw himself onto the floor, rolling around while clutching his stomach.

"Ow! It hurts! My stomach hurts so bad!"

"I'm dying! Did she rupture my appendix?"

Veronica burst into loud wails. "Oh my god! If anything happens to Leo, I don't want to live either!"

"Chloe, this is attempted murder!"

Ethan’s anger flared up again.

"Chloe! If anything happens to Leo, I will make you pay with your life!"

"Give me the credit card! We need to take Leo to a private hospital for a full body scan!"

"We need at least ten thousand dollars!"

Looking at this family of cheap actors, I found it hilarious.

Want my money?

Not a single penny.

I walked to the bedside, tucked my mother in, and made sure her vitals were stable.

Then, I turned around and pulled a sharp paring knife from the drawer.

The blade gleamed under the ceiling light.

The room fell dead silent.

Ethan took a fearful step back. "What... what are you doing?"

I played with the knife, nonchalantly peeling an apple.

"Nothing. Just having an apple."

"You want money? None."

"Want a body scan? The public hospital is down the street. Walk your own asses over there."

"If you dare scream in my mother's room again, I won't be slicing apples next time. I’ll be slicing you."

I slammed the tip of the knife hard into the wooden nightstand.

Leo let out a sharp hiccup, his crying cut short in his throat.

Veronica didn't dare to make another sound, shrinking behind Ethan, trembling.

Ethan swallowed hard, pointing a trembling finger at me.

"Fine... fine, Chloe."

"Just you wait!"

"We’re leaving! We're going to the hospital to get his injuries documented! I’m suing you for child abuse!"

With that, he scooped up Leo, grabbed Veronica, and practically ran out of the room.

Only when the heavy thud of the front door echoing from downstairs reached my ears did I let out a long breath.

The apple slipped from my hand, rolling onto the floor.

I collapsed into the chair, looking at my unconscious mother. Tears finally streamed down my face.

*Mom, I'm so sorry.*

*In my past life, I was useless and let you suffer.*

*In this life, I will protect you with everything I have.*

But this was only the beginning.

Ethan, that pathetic parasite, wouldn't back down.

He would definitely try to squeeze money out of me or ruin my reputation.

Since we had already torn off the pleasantries, there was no need to hold back.

I pulled out my phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, Mr. Harrison?"

"It’s Chloe. I want to hire you to draft a divorce agreement."

"Yes. I want him to leave with absolutely nothing."

"Also, do a background check on two people for me."

"Ethan Miller, and Veronica Miller."

Hanging up, a cold smirk curled my lips.

*Ethan, you care about your reputation and career more than anything, right?*

*Then I’ll ruin them with my own two hands.*

***