Lily Peterson's childhood sweetheart, Sean Clements, ran over my 70-year-old mother in his car while he was drunk-driving.

Because of that, Mom died on the spot.

But Lily insisted on signing the letter of forgiveness for Sean.

"My mother-in-law had planned on scamming Sean for more money, so she lay beneath the wheels on purpose. She should be the one taking on the entire responsibility."

Not only did Sean get released as an innocent man, but he also received the ten-million-dollar payment given by the insurance company as compensation for his emotional distress.

"Honey, I grew up with Sean since we were kids. I can't just sit by and watch his life get ruined by imprisonment! Can't you be more gracious and stop bringing this issue up?"

After leaving the police station, Sean uploads a post on his social media feed in a high-profile manner.

"Lily looks so gorgeous when she defends me in front of others! Childhood sweethearts will always be the closest people in life!"

Lily leaves a like on Sean's post right in front of me.

I remain eerily calm. "Let's get a divorce, Lily."

She huffs coldly in return. "You just want me to console you, right? Tristin Foley, you're already 30 years old. Can you stop being childish?"

I've already brought up divorce multiple times in the past. That's why Lily refuses to believe that I will leave her for real.

But what she doesn't know is that I've snuck in a divorce agreement into the documents meant for the case closure registration, and she has personally left her signature there.

My wife, Lily Peterson, hugged me. "People don't come back from the dead. Sean's just reckless like that. Why even bother with him? Besides, it's your mom's fault for standing in the way."

I pushed Lily away and stared at her in disbelief.

Her nonchalant tone made it sound like the one who got crushed to a pulp wasn't Mom, the woman who selflessly donated her bone marrow when Lily was gravely ill.

Lily's childhood sweetheart, Sean Clements, spoke up from the side. "I'm sorry, Tristin. It's my fault for not watching where I was going and crashing into your mom. Lily can keep you company tonight. I'll manage on my own."

His words sounded apologetic, but he wrapped his arm around Lily's waist in a teasing way.

Feeling bad for him, Lily cut him off and shot me a look of reproach. "Sean, don't force yourself. It's not your fault."

I clenched my fists. Anger surged through my chest, threatening to burst out.

I hadn't done anything, yet I had become the villain in her eyes.

I couldn't be bothered to look at them another second, so I turned and walked away.

Lily hesitated for a moment before chasing after me. "Honey, let's go home. I promised I'd spend today with you."

I took a deep breath. "I'm going to the crematorium first."

As I opened the passenger door, I froze when I spotted a few used condoms on the seat. My stomach sank.

The car hadn't even started when Sean's call came through. "Lily Peterson! I was just testing you, and you actually went with him? Fine! Go ahead. Stay with him forever. Don't ever come near me again!"

Lily panicked instantly. She fumbled to pull out the key, ushering me out of the car while shoving 50 dollars into my hand.

"Honey, take a cab to the crematorium. Use this to get Mom a nice urn. I'll catch up later. Sean's going to sulk for days if I don't calm him down."

She practically shoved me out of the car.

I stood in the cold, watching Lily rush back to Sean.

Still sulking, Sean yelled, "Who wants to ride in your crappy car? You were going to a crematorium! Keep that bad omen to yourself!"

Lily gently coaxed him, "Don't be mad. I'm scrapping it now. Let's pick a new one you like together."

After saying that, she called the tow company to have the car sent for scrapping.

As I watched the scene before me, I felt like my heart was being ripped out, and the pain took my breath away.

She had forgotten.

Mom had bought us the car with her life savings.

With tears in her eyes, Lily had knelt before Mom, vowing that one day she would be surrounded by grandchildren.

I watched helplessly as the car was stripped to pieces and towed away.

Meanwhile, Lily had completely forgotten I even existed. She walked off with Sean, their laughter echoing in the air.

I took out my phone and sent an emoji to the chat that had been silent for three years.

The person's reply was instant. "Where are you? I'm coming back to Luthenia now! Wait for me!"

I carefully packed Mom's ashes, ready to head home.

Seeing me alone, the crematorium attendant asked curiously, "Young man, where's your wife? Surely she should be here to support you through all this?"

I glanced down at my phone.

"I took Sean for a drive along the beach. I'll be back later."

I forced a bitter smile.

I'd suggested going to the beach many times before, but she always turned me down, claiming she had a migraine.

"Don't ever bring up the beach again. Just thinking about it gives me a headache."

Scrolling through Instagram, I saw Sean had posted nine photos of his new car with the caption, "A cool ten million dollars, and it's mine."

It was exactly the same amount as Mom's insurance.

I switched off my phone, feeling dead inside.

That night, Lily didn't come home at all.

The next morning, I delivered the divorce papers to her office.

The receptionist sneered the moment he saw me. "Look who it is—our ex-deputy CEO, Mr. Foley, the man who tried to frame Mr. Clements. You've been fired, so why are you back here causing trouble?

"Careful now. If you upset Mr. Clements again, Ms. Peterson might finally divorce you."

I ignored him and walked straight into Lily's office.

I was tucking the divorce papers into her desk drawer when Sean burst in. His voice dripped with contempt as he said, "Playing thief now that you're unemployed? Who gave you permission to be in Lily's office? Get out before I call the cops."

I was used to his two-faced act. I finished what I was doing and turned to leave.

My silence clearly angered Sean. His expression darkened. He grabbed a vase and smashed it over my head.

Blood began to pour down my neck. Stars danced in my vision as I tried to stay upright. I yelled, "Are you insane? You're going to kill me in the office?"

Sean just gave a dismissive laugh. "So what? I'm the exception to Lily's rules."

I tried to bolt for the door, but he tripped me. I hit the floor hard, and the impact snapped two of my front teeth.

Seeing my mouth full of blood, Sean erupted into laughter and beckoned the rest of the staff to come and watch.

The crowd gathered, snickering at my broken teeth.

I covered my mouth in shame. "Stop staring! Someone call an ambulance!"

Just then, Lily pushed through the crowd, sprinting straight toward me.

"Tristin! What happened?" Lily rushed over, frantically dabbing the blood from my face with her handkerchief.

The employees lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound.

Sean pointed a finger at me. "Tristin stole the surveillance footage of that accident where I hit his mom. He just wants to send me to prison. I got so upset that I lashed out and hurt him, and then he screamed at me."

He grew sad right after speaking.

Lily instantly felt bad for him. She shoved me away. "The case is closed! Why can't you just let it go? If you really can't, you could have told me. I never realized you were the kind of person who would stoop to such a vile trick!"

I opened my mouth, but the words died in my throat.

With Sean there, my mere presence was an eyesore to her. What right did I have to expect her to stand up for me?

I let out a hollow laugh and rasped, "I don't want anything from you. I just want a divorce."

Lily's gaze softened for a fraction of a second.

When she started to speak, Sean suddenly let out a sharp cry. "Ah! It hurts so much! Tristin! You're psychotic! You actually smeared poison on me?"

He began to convulse, white foam bubbling at the corners of his mouth.

I froze. "I didn't—"

Before I could even react, a slap cracked across my face. My cheek stung.

I couldn't believe it. Lily had actually hit me because of an accusation Sean made without a shred of proof.

This was the man who had just killed Mom!

The more Sean convulsed on the ground, the angrier Lily's gaze toward me became.

"Force-feed Tristin ten pounds of chili peppers! Maybe that will help him reflect on what he's done!"

My heart skipped a beat.

She knew I was deathly allergic to peppers. Even a tiny amount could trigger a fatal asthma attack.

The employees didn't hesitate. They pinned me down, brutally prying my mouth open to shove the chili peppers inside.

"Lily…" I choked out through the pain.

I watched as she rushed Sean toward an ambulance without a glance back.

Witnessing the scene, one of the employees laughed even more brazenly. "Mr. Clements is the only one who matters to Ms. Peterson. You're out of her league."

Time blurred. My mouth went numb, and I gasped violently for air.

Seeing the onset of the asthma attack, the employees panicked and dropped me.

My phone, lying beside me, buzzed incessantly with provocative messages from Sean.

"I hand-picked those ghost peppers for you. How do they taste? Cross me again, and I'll play with you until you're dead.

"By the way, I killed your mom on purpose. You think Lily doesn't know? She'd let anyone die as long as it makes me happy.

"And that ten million dollars? I had a blast spending it. Maybe next time we can do the same thing with your dad."

I collapsed on the floor in total despair. My vision grew dark, and I didn't even have the strength to call the cops.

But I didn't expect Sean to actually start a live stream. "You didn't think I'd let you off that easily, did you? That would make my 'seizure' a waste of breath."