The photo showed them kissing in a bright, spacious apartment.

Something inside me snapped.

I worked myself past exhaustion. Lost two children.

Meanwhile, Edward and Margot were celebrating a new life.

He used my blood and sweat to buy her an apartment. Planned to toast it in style.

And me?

Just their long-term ATM. Run into the ground and tossed aside.

My hands shook as I screenshotted every post on Margot's timeline.

Edward, if you can be this heartless, don't blame me for getting ruthless.

You used my money to buy that apartment. To throw that party.

How could I not show up?

That night, I didn't sleep.

All I could hear was the memory of his steps. Steady. Quick. Effortless.

For someone who'd supposedly had ALS for four years?

How was he walking like that?

The question squeezed my chest until I could barely breathe.

***

At dawn, while he was still asleep, I grabbed our marriage certificate and called a cab to the rehab center where he'd been "treated" for four years.

First time I'd ever been there.

Every time I offered to go with him, he shut it down.

"The rehab's ugly. I don't want you seeing me like that. You work so hard—just rest when you can. Don't worry about me."

I believed him.

Was even touched.

So I kept making him healthy homemade soup.

And lived on crackers and water.

The rehab center wasn't big.

The front desk nurse remembered him right away.

"Oh, I remember him. Very inspiring patient. He was discharged two years ago—fully recovered."

Fully recovered.

My fingers dug into the marriage certificate. My knees almost gave out.

Seeing my face go white, she hurried to call his attending doctor.

My head was spinning. Eyes burning, I forced the words out.

"Dr. Weldon, I'm Edward Godfrey's wife. I need to ask about his condition."

Dr. Weldon led me into his office. Quiet. Hesitant.

The dread in my chest got heavier with every step.

My voice came out rough. "Dr. Weldon, please. Just tell me. I can handle it."

He set a medical file on the desk. "Mrs. Godfrey, this has weighed on me. Your husband never had ALS. Four years ago, it was a misdiagnosis. The final diagnosis was nerve damage.

"The hospital gave him a fifty-thousand-dollar settlement and free rehab. He fully recovered two years ago."

The words hit like a bomb.

Fully recovered?

Then why was I paying massive "treatment fees" every month for four years?

Why was he still in a wheelchair?

Why was he coming here every week?

Dr. Weldon lowered his voice, anger slipping through. "He said he needed a reason to keep 'recuperating' so he could finish his PhD smoothly.

"When he came in each week, he mostly just talked with me.

"The hospital didn't want the misdiagnosis getting out, so as part of the settlement, they kept it confidential."

Dr. Weldon slid the file toward me. "I heard you've had a hard few years taking care of him. You should have this."

I stared at the stack of records.

Right then, I wanted to tear Edward apart.

Two years ago, he told me his recovery had hit a "critical stage." Said he needed imported medication—ten thousand dollars a course.

I didn't hesitate.

I sold the house my grandmother left me just to pay for three rounds.

When I gave him the money, he held me and cried.

"Linsay, when I'm better, I'll make you the happiest woman in the world."

Yeah.

Turns out the only thing he cured was his bank account.

Every dollar went to Margot.

"Oh, right," Dr. Weldon added. "About two years ago, he stopped coming alone. A Ms. Danby usually came with him.

"After he recovered, she even brought us afternoon tea a few times. They were very close."

I didn't hear the rest.

The room tilted.

And everything crashed down.

***

When I stumbled back to the apartment, Edward was already gone.

I dug out the dress he gave me when we first got married. It was buried in the back of the closet. I slipped it on.

Then I called Edward's doctoral advisor's wife.

Back when she shopped at the market, I'd sneak two extra fish into her bag. She thought I was honest and left me her number.

I never told her who I was. Didn't want my worn-out face embarrassing Edward. I just said I was a distant relative.

Professor Jefferson had a reputation—strict. Zero tolerance for academic fraud or shady people.

Edward, let's see how your little celebration goes today.

"Mrs. Jefferson, Edward's hosting a celebration at home today. He didn't invite Professor Jefferson because he didn't want to bother him. I wanted to surprise Edward... so I was wondering if you two might have time to come."

She sounded pleasantly surprised and agreed right away.

Summit Heights Residence was the most expensive neighborhood in the city, packed with rich scholars and elites.

When I got there, the door to Unit 1006 was wide open. Laughter spilled out.

Margot stood inside, one hand on her pregnant belly, the other hooked around Edward's arm like she owned the place.

Edward moved through the crowd like he ruled it. Nothing like the weak, sick guy he played at home.

With the money I earned gutting fish, washing dishes, and selling my house, he built a love nest with his side chick and soaked up everyone's blessings.

Meanwhile, the legal wife stayed hidden in the dark.

A wedding photo hung in the living room.

Edward's smile in it was brighter than I'd ever seen.

We'd been married four years. I didn't even have one photo with him.

A young faculty member raised his glass.

"Dr. Godfrey, your dissertation is incredible. The data is detailed, the arguments rigorous. We're all seriously impressed."

Edward laughed and pulled Margot in by the waist.

"That's all thanks to Margot. She stayed up with me night after night so my defense would go smooth. Without her, I wouldn't be here."

Margot ducked her head, all shy.

"I'd do anything for you."

The guests clapped, praising them like the perfect academic power couple.

I stood in the corner, shaking with rage.

I worked myself half to death for him for four years.

Now he had status, success—and he was showing off his love with his side chick.

Edward raised his glass and stepped into the middle of the living room.

"Thanks for coming. Today's not just a celebration. I also want to thank the most important person in my life."

He looked at Margot like she hung the moon and pulled out a diamond ring.

"Margot, thanks for always being by my side. From now on, I'll give you and our child a stable home."

With everyone watching, Edward dropped to one knee and slid the ring onto her finger.

Then he stood and kissed her lightly on the forehead.

"Margot, I love you."

The room exploded in applause.

Professor Jefferson and his wife had just arrived. Seeing the scene, they offered warm congratulations.

"Edward, you and your fiancée are a perfect match!"

That's when it hit me.

Edward had never publicly said he was already married.

He stood there, smiling like he owned the room. I pushed through the crowd and walked straight up to him.

"Honey, proposing to your side chick without inviting your actual wife? That's bold. I would've brought a gift."