My husband vanished after his business went under, leaving behind a mountain of debt and his elderly parents.

To pay off his debts, I worked tirelessly, day and night, selling everything we owned for cash.

In the end, I even lost our child.

But two years later, after I'd cleared the debts and revived the company, he returned, holding hands with his pregnant girlfriend.

"The company was mine to begin with. I'll give you some money for your trouble over the years," he said.

I refused and decided to sue him.

Then he hired someone to run me over, and as I lay dying, he kicked me twice, saying, "I offered you dignity, but you chose defiance."

When I opened my eyes again, it was the day my husband had disappeared after going bankrupt.

---

“Mrs. Hernandez, say something!”

“Yeah, your husband owes us a lot of money, and now he’s disappeared. What are we supposed to do with that?”

A crowd of clients and suppliers completely blocked my doorway.

I blinked hard, my vision still blurry, but the familiar conversation sent shockwaves through me.

"Theodora, you must come up with a way to save Jayson's company!" Mae tugged at my sleeve helplessly, looking despondently at the growing crowd outside.

I closed my eyes tightly, gathering my thoughts. After a deep breath, I opened the door.

Mae hurried to stop me, "Theodora, those people outside are dangerous. Why are you opening the door?"

I cast her a calm glance, then turned to face the creditors. "Ladies and gentlemen, I understand your anxiety over not receiving your payments.

"My husband, Jayson, has been missing for three days. During this time, my in-laws, my family, and the police have all been doing everything we can to find him.

"But so far, we have no leads."

A sharp-looking man sneered at me, "So you're trying to use this as an excuse to dodge the debt, right?"

Another person joined in, shouting, "Who's to say you're not just putting on an act to avoid paying us back?"

I raised my hand, palm out, signaling everyone to quiet down. With a steady voice, I explained, "Jayson is truly missing; the police can confirm this. If necessary, I'm willing to provide evidence.

"Moreover, the debts he accrued are his own personal responsibilities. As his wife, I'm at a loss here.

"I encourage pursuing him through legal channels, but I'm unaware of any details. If the court requires my cooperation, I'll comply to the best of my ability."

Mae, shocked, grabbed my arm and forced me to face her. “Theodora, what are you saying? What do you mean by pursuing his responsibilities? He's your husband!”

Internally, I scoffed: Husband? He’s probably off having a grand old time with his sweetheart right now!

In my previous life, I had worked myself to the bone, day and night, to pay off the debts and revive the company.

Two years later, he returned, hand in hand with his heavily pregnant girlfriend.

He demanded a divorce and insisted I return the company to him.

To him, my two years of effort were worth just ten thousand dollars in compensation.

I refused and decided to sue him.

He hired someone to run me over, and as I lay dying, he kicked me twice, saying, "I offered you dignity, but you chose defiance."

A husband like that—I wished he would disappear forever!

As I snapped back to the present, recalling those two years of agony, tears streamed down my face.

“Mom, do you think I don't want to help pay Jayson's debts? But where would I find that kind of money?

“The company is in his name alone; the house and car were all things he bought before we married. I don’t own any assets. How could I possibly repay such a huge sum?”

The creditors were taken aback by the depth of my sobs and the sincerity of my words. They probably hadn't expected that, despite Jayson Hernandez running such a large company, his wife wouldn't have a penny to her name. Some of the female creditors even shot me sympathetic glances, which I welcomed; the more pitiable I seemed, the less likely they were to make things difficult for me.

"My dear friends, everything I told you is true. If you decide to take legal action against him and need any evidence from me, feel free to reach out. I'm more than willing to assist." I gave them my phone number sincerely.

The creditors realized that hanging around my house wouldn't achieve anything, so after a few strong words, they began to leave. Once they were gone, Mae Duncan, back to her usual domineering self, asked, "Theodora, what was all that about?"

I rolled my eyes and replied with exasperation, "Exactly what it sounded like." With that, I headed to the bedroom, pulled out a suitcase, and started packing my things.

Mae doggedly followed, scolding, "So you're just going to abandon Jayson’s company and us?"

I smirked and retorted, "Weren't you always the one insisting the company was just Jayson’s? How is it my problem then?"

Mae snapped, "Ungrateful brat! I knew it! Just as they say, 'When the chips are down, everyone scatters!' After all Jayson did for you, marrying you despite our objections, he's just been missing for three days, and you're already eager to wash your hands of him!"

I paused packing briefly, shrugged, and said, "Isn’t this what you wanted all along? You finally get your wish for us to separate."

After two years of marriage, I didn’t have much. A suitcase and a carry-on bag were enough for everything I needed. Mae was left speechless by my words, her hands trembling as she pointed at me and shouted, "Theodora! You won't escape this! We consulted with a lawyer, and the debt is a joint responsibility of both spouses. Even if you leave now, you can't cut your ties!"

I chuckled internally. Initially, I thought Mae and Hayes might not know about Jayson's disappearance. But Mae's words confirmed they knew more than they admitted. Their own son was missing, yet they had consulted about marital debts.

Feigning distress, I mumbled, "But… I didn’t know about his debts. How can I be held responsible?"

With a smug look, Mae threatened, "Scared now, aren't you? Jayson was right; you need a reality check."

Since Mae put it that way, there was no need to continue the charade. I immediately returned to my calm demeanor and disdainfully replied, "Did your lawyer mention that clearly defined personal debts aren't the wife's responsibility? If you don’t believe me, by all means, take me to court. Now, if you don’t mind, I need to head back to my parent's house."

I skirted around Mae as Hayes entered from outside, pulling my suitcase behind me.

Upon seeing us, he asked eagerly, "Is everyone outside gone? Did you sort it out?"

Mae snapped bitterly, "Your darling daughter-in-law is working hand-in-hand with those people to bring a lawsuit against our son. Of course, they're delighted!"

Hayes was incredulous. "What?! Lawsuit against our son? What's the basis?"

I couldn't help but let out a cynical laugh. "You want to know the basis? Simple: your son took off with their money!"

Confronted by my blunt declaration of the facts, their faces flushed with embarrassment.

Mae immediately shifted to play the victim, protesting, "How dare you talk such nonsense! Our son has vanished into thin air, and here you are making heartless comments. Have you no compassion?"

I scoffed, "It's a shame you both missed your calling as actors."

Turning to Hayes, I remarked icily, "So concerned about your son, yet you find time for games and coffee breaks. Can't tell if you're calm under pressure or just have nerves of steel."

Hayes quickly refuted, "Did you see me playing chess and sipping coffee with your own eyes? I was at the police station asking for updates on Jayson!"

I rolled my suitcase to the doorway, giving Hayes a pointed look.

"Then the station must serve terrific coffee since you left with evidence of your enjoyment still on your lips."

In a fluster, Hayes wiped his mouth as Mae shot him a look full of disappointment and anger.

Dismissing the drama behind me, I walked away from this nest of vipers without a backward glance.

Mae pursued me, shouting furiously, "Theodora, don't think you can simply walk away from this! You can run, but you can't hide!"

I shrugged off her wrath, unconcerned about them chasing me down. After all, creditors had been prowling around the neighborhood for days.

Arriving at my parents' home with my suitcase, I could read the worry on their faces.

"Mom, there's no need to fret. I've distanced myself from Jayson's mess. I promise I'll be alright."

My mom exhaled deeply, anxiety threading her voice. "Those creditors stormed into our shop like wolves, scaring me half to death. You and Jayson are married. How can you say it has nothing to do with you?"

"I've already spoken with a lawyer. As long as I can demonstrate that his debts were racked up without my knowledge and weren't for household expenses, I won't be held liable."

My mom looked unconvinced. "Really?"

I reassured her with certainty, "Really. Do I seem like someone with something to hide?"

My dad joined in, trying to ease her worries, concerned about her health.

Two years back, when my mom was critically ill, Jayson was there for everything, his attentiveness swaying me into accepting his proposal.

After our marriage, following his advice, I quit my job to start our family, cared for his parents, and managed our home.

Little did I realize, his interest lay solely in our family's prospects and my accommodating personality, seeking a convenient spouse.

Perhaps his heart was never fully mine, and when the company floundered, he turned to this opportunistic scheme.