Chapter 4
I wasn’t exactly twiddling my thumbs these past few days. I spent every minute tracking down proof that Jack had been funneling money to Olivia behind my back during our marriage, evidence I could use in the lawsuit.
The day of the surgery finally came, and I still hadn’t paid the fees.
Jack finally cracked and started bombarding me with messages:
“Honey, where are you? The surgery’s this afternoon, did you get the money?”
“Why aren’t you answering? Was there an issue with selling the house? Don’t try to handle it on your own, I’m here for you. If we can’t afford it, then forget the surgery. My life’s not worth ruining yours over.”
“Once I’m gone, you should find a good man and remarry. I won’t blame you.”
I read through the messages, letting out a bitter laugh over and over again.
A classic move, trying to make it sound like he was leaving his last words, when really, it was just a guilt trip to keep me from giving up on his treatment.
Olivia wasn’t as calm. She called me repeatedly.
She claimed Jack was vomiting blood, then that he’d slipped into a coma and couldn’t be revived. The hospital had issued three critical condition notices.
Of course, she’d taken care of everything on my behalf.
I stayed cool as a cucumber, simply telling her I’d be there soon.
I could practically hear the sigh of relief on the other end of the line, and faintly, I caught Jack’s smug laugh.
Go ahead and laugh, Jack.
After today, you won’t be laughing anymore.
While I was digging into his transfers to Olivia, I hired a private investigator, and the results were better than I’d hoped.
By the time I arrived at the hospital, Jack’s mom was already there with a group of relatives, waiting outside his room.
As soon as they spotted me, they rushed over with fake smiles plastered on their faces.
“Amy, darling, you’ve been through so much these past few days. I only just heard Jack was in the hospital. Thank you for sticking by him. A daughter-in-law like you is truly a blessing for our family…”
Olivia came over too, looking anxious as ever:
“You’re finally here! The doctor says if we don’t operate soon, it’ll be too late! Thank goodness you made it in time. Hurry up and pay the fee, I’ll call the surgeon to get ready right away!”
Mrs. Thompson exchanged a sly look with Olivia.
When she turned back to me, her eyes were suddenly filled with tears. She grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the payment window.
“Hurry, pay now, Jack’s waiting for the surgery.”
I saw their little exchange, and it hit me. They were both in on the whole scam.
No wonder she hadn’t been at the hospital until now, even though Jack had been admitted for days.
I used to think Jack didn’t want to worry her. Now I saw the truth: these three, Jack, his mom, and Olivia, had been planning to bleed me dry all along.
With all the relatives staring at me, I held up my hands.
“What surgery fee? I didn’t raise enough. I have no money.”
Mrs. Thompson’s face went pale. She practically screamed in the hallway:
“What? No money? Amy Wilson, what kind of joke is this?”
“Didn’t you sell the house to raise money? Jack even gave you power of attorney for the property transfer. We bought that house for $100,000, how can you have no money?”
The relatives jumped in, asking questions left and right:
“That house was the most expensive one in the city! Even if you didn’t get $90,000, you should’ve gotten at least $80,000. How can you say you have no money?”
“Jack is your husband! How could you hide money from him? He needs it to save his life, don’t say such ridiculous things!”
“Yeah, we gave you $18,000 for your wedding. Even if you couldn’t sell the house, you must’ve still got that, right?”
When they brought up the wedding money, my blood ran cold.
“Wasn’t that supposed to be my security? And right after the wedding, he borrowed $15,000 from me because his mom was ‘sick.’ With all his hospital bills these past few days, it’s gone.”
“My family contributed most of the money when we bought that house, so don’t come at me like I’m lying. I said I have no money, and that’s the truth!”
“If I can’t raise enough, then don’t do the surgery. If he dies, that’s just his fate.”
The second I finished speaking, Mrs. Thompson rushed over and slapped me hard across the face.
“Amy Wilson! How dare you say that? Of course my son should spend money to treat me when I was sick! Isn’t that just the right thing to do?”
“Are you blaming me for getting sick, or blaming him for borrowing your money? You’re being so petty with your own husband. Fine, if you insist, I’ll write you an IOU for later!”
“My son’s life is on the line, and you’re making trouble? Don’t be so selfish at a time like this!”
The sting of the slap left my cheek burning, but my heart was completely frozen.
“Making trouble? Believe what you want. I’ve already said I don’t have the money. I came here today to say goodbye. Once and for all.”
