Lydia's carefree voice came from the other end of the line. "Christian, Joey's school is organizing a summer camp. It costs one thousand dollars. All the other kids are going. If I don't sign him up, I'm afraid he'll feel left out…"

The moment Christian heard that, he rushed to reassure her. "Don't worry. I'll go withdraw the money right now. Wait for me."

He hung up, all the madness from earlier gone from his face. He grabbed his jacket and slammed the door behind him without looking back.

I collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air. But I still felt suffocated.

Christian was right. Legally, we were husband and wife. If the pension he had claimed by concealing my parents' death was identified as fraudulent, it would be hard for me to distance myself from it as his spouse.

And there would also be fines. In my current situation, where would I get the money to pay for all of it?

But if I didn't report him, was I supposed to just let my parents' bodies lie in a freezer? And let this animal go on as if nothing had happened?

My tears suddenly broke loose. I cried for my parents who had died in vain, for my daughter who was battling a serious illness, and for myself, for the ten years of my life I had wasted in this marriage.

I was going to get a divorce, even if it killed me.

It was 2:00 a.m. when Christian finally came home. He was carrying a takeout bag of tacos and set it on the table.

"Dear, you didn't eat tonight, right? Don't go hungry. It's bad for your health."

I stared at the food but didn't take it. My stomach churned.

"You gave her money again?"

Christian quickly waved his hands. "No! I just went to talk to Lydia. I told her not to overthink things. We should live according to our means, right? A one-thousand-dollar summer camp isn't something she should even consider."

I paused, thinking it through. Since there was an issue with the bank, this month's pension payment hadn't come through yet. So Christian really shouldn't have had extra cash on hand.

I looked at him. "Christian, when you first set your sights on my parents' pension, was it for Lydia? I want the truth."

He avoided my gaze. After a few seconds of silence, he spoke. "I swear it wasn't. At first, I just thought the extra 2,500 dollars would make things easier. I thought it would give you and Alina a better life. Lydia came later."

I wanted to laugh. He said he had thought of me and Alina. But in reality, I had never seen a single cent of my parents' pension.

I turned toward the closet and pulled out a few sets of clothes. "I'm going back home tomorrow."

His face fell instantly. "Why would you go back now? What if…"

"Relax. No one will find out. I just want to see my parents."

Christian let out a breath of relief. He stepped closer, trying to take my hand. But I dodged him.

He withdrew his hand awkwardly and said, "Dear, I'm sorry. I really just lost my head for a moment. But things have already reached this point. We can only make the best of it now.

"When Alina gets better, we'll immediately file for your parents' deaths and give them a proper burial. I promise I'll cut Lydia off. From now on, my heart will only hold you and our daughter."

I smiled. His promises had long since become worthless to me.

I packed quickly, got up, and said softly, "I'm heading out to set up my stall. Remember to take my place at the hospital tomorrow morning. Take good care of Alina."

He agreed readily. I didn't say more.

Downstairs, I walked toward the spot where I had parked my food cart. I was calculating how many portions I'd need to sell that night to cover Alina's hospital bill the next day.

But when I reached the spot, I froze. The cart was gone.

That cart was my means of livelihood. My heart dropped. I searched the area frantically. I even asked several neighbors, but they all shook their heads, saying they hadn't seen it.

Panic consumed me. With trembling hands, I called the police. They arrived quickly and pulled the security footage from the entrance of the market. When the video played, a chill ran down my spine.

The person who had taken my cart was none other than Christian. And the timestamp was right after he had received Lydia's call and rushed out the door.

A chill shot from the soles of my feet straight to my scalp.

Had Christian sold my cart to get that one thousand dollars for Lydia?

More than half an hour later, Christian finally showed up at the police station. Wiping sweat from his forehead, he explained to the officer he had noticed that one of the cart's wheels was broken. He claimed he had just taken it in for repair and that all of this was a misunderstanding.

His expression didn't change as he spoke, but he couldn't meet my eyes. I knew he was lying again.

"Christian, that cart was my livelihood. How could you just sell it? For Lydia, you sold my cart today. Tomorrow, will you sell the house too? Do you have any conscience at all?"

His face stiffened, then twisted with anger. "Winona, why are you acting like a shrew, accusing your own husband in front of all these people? Besides, Lydia and I are just friends. If she's struggling a little, what's wrong with me helping her out?"

The more he spoke, the more agitated he became. He stepped forward and grabbed my arm. "Come on. Let's go home. Stop embarrassing yourself!"

Even at that moment, he spoke of betrayal as if he were righteous.

My stomach churned. Coldness spread throughout my entire body, right down to my fingertips. The man I had shared a bed with for ten years now felt like a stranger. He was utterly despicable.

"Christian, listen carefully. I can't live like this for even one more day. I want a divorce. And one more thing. If my cart isn't returned to its exact spot tomorrow, you'll regret it!"

Christian's pupils shrank as he registered the threat in my words. Before he could grab me again, I shook off his hand and rushed out of the police station.

The night wind cut across my face, sharp and stinging. But I didn't feel the cold.

I walked aimlessly for a long time until my legs went weak. Only then did I realize I was standing outside my best friend's house. When I raised my hand to press the doorbell, my fingers were still trembling.

Celeste Winter opened the door in her pajamas. The moment she saw me, her brows knitted together. "Winona, what are you doing here?"

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. My tears were first to fall.

Seeing my swollen eyes, she froze, looking concerned. "Come in. Let's talk inside."

Celeste looked at my disheveled appearance and sighed. In the end, she didn't bring up our falling-out years ago.

Back then, she had caught Christian entangled with Lydia and warned me about it. But I was blinded by love and accused her of meddling. After a big fight, we drifted apart.

Now, as I sobbed uncontrollably, she simply listened in silence.

Her eyes reddened as she gripped my hand tightly. "Winnie, it's not too late. You have to divorce him. I'll help you find a lawyer. We'll figure out Alina's medical bills together."

I was so overwhelmed. I didn't know what to say.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Celeste and I both froze, glancing toward the door. At this hour, who could it be?

The door opened, revealing Christian standing on the other side. He dropped to his knees, tears streaming down his face.

"Dear, please come home. Stop making a scene, okay? I'm begging you. Look, I brought your cart back. I didn't sell it. I really just took it for repairs."

I looked toward where he was pointing and saw my food cart.

Celeste stepped in front of me, asking sharply, "Christian, what game are you playing now?"

Christian ignored her, looking at me and crying instead. "Dear, I swear, I'll never contact Lydia again. Let's just be together properly, okay? Don't divorce me, alright? Alina can't grow up without a father…"

Seeing my hesitation, Celeste grabbed my arm urgently. "Winnie, don't fall for his bullshit again. Don't go soft now!"

I turned to her and gave her a small smile.

The next second, a loud slap landed on Christian's face.

"Christian, listen carefully. This divorce is happening!"

The commotion drew neighbors out into the hallway.

Several doors opened as neighbors peeked out into the hallway.

After getting slapped, Christian looked stunned for a second. Then, his eyes darted around quickly. He turned to the neighbors, his voice suddenly loud. "Everyone, please help me talk some sense into my wife… She's addicted to gambling. She lost all our savings and racked up massive debt!

"I was afraid she'd gamble away the money that could save our daughter's life too, so I had no choice but to temporarily keep the money with my ex-wife and use it when our daughter needed treatment.

"But when my wife found out, she insisted on divorcing me. She's trying to drive me and our daughter to death!"

Whispers broke through the crowd. The way they looked at me changed.

I trembled with fury. "Christian Stone, stop slandering me! When have I ever gambled?"

Christian seemed to have been waiting for that. He quickly pulled out a stack of papers from his pocket and opened them up for everyone to see. "Look. These are all credit cards and loan records in my wife's name. If it's not gambling, why would she owe so much money?"

I felt as though I had been struck by lightning. I rushed forward and snatched the papers. My personal information was printed clearly on them. But I had never taken out any of these loans.

That was when it hit me. Christian had used my identity to rack up all that debt.

"No… That's not true. I didn't do this!" I screamed, my head buzzing.

"Dear, even now, you're still lying?" Christian looked hurt, then turned to the crowd again. "I know… family matters shouldn't be made public. But our child has cancer. If my wife keeps gambling like this, our family will be ruined!"

His act stirred the crowd's emotions.

"Disgusting! What kind of mother is that?"

"Her daughter has cancer and she's out gambling? Unbelievable!"

One stone caused a thousand ripples. Soon, someone even lunged toward me, holding up a fist. "Let's get her! Let's teach this heartless bitch a lesson!"

"What are you doing? Stop!" Celeste tried to shield me. But someone threw a stone at her forehead, and blood streamed down instantly.

Ignoring everything else, I panicked and grabbed her. Amid the chaos, we fled. I hailed a cab and rushed her to the hospital.

The next few days were like a nightmare.

To completely destroy me, Christian posted his fabricated story online, along with the forged debt records. Under the title of "Saving My Terminally Ill Daughter, Redeeming My Fallen Wife," he even opened a donation channel.

The internet exploded. Sympathy poured in for him, while vicious curses flooded toward me.

My personal information was exposed. My phone was bombarded with calls and messages.

The housekeeping company I worked for fired me immediately. The night market management revoked my vendor permit. Overnight, I lost every source of income. I didn't even dare to step outside.

One day, Christian deliberately called me. "Winona, now do you see what happens when you go against me? Come back. As long as you behave, stop talking about divorce, and keep your mouth shut about things you shouldn't mention, I'll consider clearing your name.

"Otherwise… you'll never recover from this for the rest of your life. Don't forget, we're still married. If you try to take me down, I'll drag you to hell with me."

After hanging up, I collapsed onto the floor.

Outside the window, the sky was a gloomy gray. Despair washed over me, submerging me. For a moment, I even thought about dying.

Just as I was drowning in hopelessness, Celeste returned.

"Winnie, look at this!" She shoved her phone in front of my face, her voice shaking with excitement. "That bastard Christian is done for this time."

I stared blankly at the screen. Then, the next second, my eyes lit up.

Without hesitation, I immediately called the police. "Hello, officer. I want to report my ex-husband, Christian Stone. He knowingly broke the law and committed a serious crime."