Chapter 1
Rumor had it Leslie Malone was a legend in the sheets.
She had Edward Fleming, despite his crippled legs, so obsessed that he couldn't get enough of her.
In just three years, she went from a humble caretaker to Mrs. Fleming.
Then, on Valentine's Day of their fifth year of marriage, Leslie got two gifts.
One was a black card, delivered by someone on behalf of her mother-in-law, Diana Fleming.
The other was a video sent anonymously to her.
The video showed her husband, Edward, on a luxury cruise ship, holding an up-and-coming actress in his arms, making out with her for three whole minutes.
Almost at the same time, the headline [Edward Fleming and his new girlfriend's hot kiss] dominated the trending charts.
Leslie's phone was blowing up with messages from Edward's friends.
Like always, everyone was pushing her to stir things up. They were here for the show.
But this time, Leslie stayed calm. She replied to each of them with the same message: [I trust Edward. He knows what he's doing.]
Everyone was left speechless.
Messages started blowing up in a group chat someone had added her alt account to.
[Did she lose it from all the shock?]
[She used to make a scene every time something happened, telling everyone she could. Is she just done now?]
[If she were really over it, she'd get a divorce. She probably realized throwing fits won't keep a man, so now she's acting all sweet and mature, hoping Edward feels guilty and comes crawling back. But she doesn't even know Edward's been over her for ages.]
[Yeah, if I were Edward, I would've been sick of her too. He never would've married her if it weren't for that accident.]
[Exactly. She's got big boobs and an empty head. Who knows what kind of shady moves she used to climb into Edward's bed and make him marry her?]
The nonstop gossip kept lighting up her screen, one message after another.
Leslie sat at her desk, silently watching the messages pile up on her screen.
They were not wrong. If that accident hadn't happened, if Edward hadn't gotten drunk and ended up in bed with Leslie, they never would've been together.
Everyone figured her sudden change was just another trick to hold on to Edward for dear life, hoping that playing the good wife would guilt him into coming back.
But nobody realized that this time, Leslie was genuinely tired of it all.
*****
The card sitting on Leslie's desk held more money than she could ever hope to see in several lifetimes, even if she worked herself to the bone.
Honestly, she had to admit she owed Edward some gratitude for that.
Five years ago, Edward was in a car accident that left him nearly paralyzed below the waist.
Overnight, he went from being on top of the world to bedridden.
Edward couldn't deal with it at all. He spiraled into despair, and the Fleming family cycled through twenty-three caregivers. He drove every single one of them off until Leslie showed up.
The first time Leslie walked in, Edward was lying in bed after driving away all the caregivers. He couldn't take care of himself, and his face was pale from holding it in too long.
Ignoring his protests, Leslie was forced to help him. Afterward, Edward went ballistic, face red with fury, smashing everything in sight. He even threw the fruit bowl from the nightstand, hitting Leslie right on the forehead.
After that, no matter how many tantrums Edward threw or how much trouble he caused, Leslie would quietly clean up after him, never uttering a single complaint.
Eventually, Edward's temper was worn down to nothing. He stopped caring, let himself go, and did whatever Leslie asked without a fight.
Back at the Fleming family home, Diana held Leslie's hand, her eyes shining with tears, and told her she was the one who had truly saved their family.
After Edward's accident, most of his old friends couldn't deal with his temper anymore and stopped coming around. Before long, Leslie was the only one who stuck by his side.
Sometimes, he'd ask, "Leslie, why do you bother taking care of me?"
At that moment, Leslie had finished tidying up the room. Edward was half-lying in bed, the sunlight hitting his face and highlighting his features, like the first time she saw him.
Some people didn't have to do a thing. Just standing there was enough to draw everyone's attention.
But Leslie kept that to herself. She crouched in front of Edward and looked up at him. "Because I believe that one day, you'll stand up again."
The phone rang, snapping her out of her memories.
It was Diana.
She said, "Leslie, you've received the card, right? Back then, you took care of Edward, and he married you to repay you. But if you two have no feelings for each other, there's no need to force it, right?
"It's been two years, and you haven't had any children together. So, as his mother, I'm asking you to let Edward go.
"He's finally in a good place, and I hope he can get married and start a family, like anyone else. As a parent, I hope you can understand where I'm coming from."
"I understand, Diana. I've received the card, and I'll leave," Leslie said, idly fiddling with the band on her finger.
When Diana heard Leslie's answer, her voice grew noticeably kinder, happiness and relief clear in her tone.
"Sweetheart, I always knew you were a good kid. If there's anything else you want, say the word. I'll make it happen," Diana said warmly.
Leslie said, "I want a written agreement saying the money on that card is a gift from you, no strings attached. And I need a ticket home."