Part 2False Diagnosis, Real Betrayal

"What have I done?! Mom, you haven't forgotten, have you? I paid half the down payment on this house!"

I stood up, looking at the two of them and laughing out loud, finding the whole situation utterly absurd.

"What have I done all these years? Why don't you ask what you and your son have been doing!"

"And I won't even start on his relationship with Chloe Davis!"

"Your son's been jobless, all he does is some light cleaning! A grown man, and sometimes I even have to help him with that! Where exactly has he been 'working hard'? Do I not have a job? My salary is barely enough to support all of us! So tell me, what have I done?!"

Mrs. Thompson's face was a stormy mess, flickering between expressions, as if she wanted to say something but was silenced by Mark's glare.

I gave a cold laugh and continued, "As for you, Mom, I always thought you were fair, that you'd side with me. But now, it's clear you're all cut from the same cloth! You're the real family! And I guess I'm just..."

Before I could finish, Mark slapped me across the face.

My ears rang, and I clutched my cheek, glaring at him with fury.

Since Mark lost his job, our entire household had relied on my income. He merely tidied up a bit, and suddenly it was his hard work? Where did he even work hard?

And now he had the nerve to hit me?!

"By rights, half the money in that savings account belongs to me!"

They probably expected me to cry, but I stood my ground, protesting loudly, not a trace of fear in my eyes.

Are you kidding me? I'm already dying! What do I have to be afraid of?!

Hearing me say that, their faces were a sight to behold. They couldn't refute it, as it was the truth, and couldn't find an excuse to argue. I pressed on.

"You have to give me the money! Otherwise, we'll go through legal channels. Even if I can't be saved, I'd rather see the money incinerated than let Chloe Davis touch a single cent!"

"No way, Sarah. You can forget about it."

"I won't give you a single penny."

Mark stared at me with chilling indifference. In his eyes, I couldn't see a shred of affection for me.

"Go ahead and sue for divorce if you're so brave. But I'm telling you, Sarah, even if you do, I won't agree. It's just a cooling-off period, right? I can afford to wait you out!"

"Since you've pushed it this far, I'll just wait until you die! Then the money will still be mine!"

I fell silent, looking at him in disbelief. Mark thought I was backing down and decided to offer a false comfort.

"Sarah, why make such a fuss? Just be a good wife, and I'll take care of you until the end."

Listening to his absurd words, I only felt regret. How could I have ever fallen for such a man?

How could I have been so deluded as to use all my savings to buy a house and marry him?

I looked around. This home, once so full of warmth, now felt chillingly cold.