Chapter 1

After winning three million dollars in the lottery, I planned to use one million to pay off my husband's debts, then buy him and our son the sports car and Lego sets they'd always wanted.

But I waited and waited, only to get a call from my son. "Mom, there's an event at kindergarten today. Eat by yourself. Dad and I will be thinking of you."

I stayed silent.

Because just thirty seconds ago, pop-up comments had started appearing before my eyes.

[The wife character is so tragic, working three jobs to pay the male lead's debts, even working herself till she got a stomach hemorrhage, and now he's buying a gold bracelet for the female lead just to show off.]

[Well, if the wife doesn't work herself to death, the main couple can't get together.]

I didn't believe these comments at first, but when I got the credit card deduction alert, my heart sank.

I never imagined my husband, who seemed to adore me, and the son I'd worked so hard to raise, could deceive me like this.

Well then, this three-million-dollar lottery win has nothing to do with them anymore.

*****

After hanging up, I stared blankly at the lottery ticket.

[Weird, why hasn't the wife told the male lead she won?]

[The wife needs to exit the story already. I want to see the main couple's plotline.]

[I support the wife's move. She's so pitiful, sticking with the male lead through hard times, while he spends his whole $10k salary on the female lead.]

Seeing this comment, I froze.

I was confused.

Andrew only made three thousand a month. No way he could give another woman ten thousand.

A new comment popped up. [The male lead is infuriating. He's been hiding his real salary from his wife all along.]

All these years, to protect Andrew's ego, I'd even delivered food after my regular job to make ends meet. Turns out, it was all just me being delusional.

When Andrew came home that night, he sidled up to me with a fawning look. "Sweetie, why so glum? Is it about the money spent?"

"Lucas wanted to treat his little friends to a meal. I couldn't say no. That would embarrass him, right?" As he spoke, Andrew shot a look at our son, Lucas.

Catching the hint, Lucas trotted over, hugged my leg, and started whining. "Mom, I'm the leader of the kids. I promised them a fancy feast. A leader can't break promises. Don't be mad, okay? It won't happen again, I promise!"

His young face wore a pouty, wronged expression.

Every time he messed up, he'd act like this to win me over.

And I'd always forgive him without hesitation.

[Don't let the wife's son's age fool you, he's a smooth little liar.]

[When he was eating with the female lead, he called the wife an old witch!]

[Having such an ungrateful son, I feel so bad for the wife.]

The pop-up comments chilled me to the bone.

I couldn't believe this five-year-old child in front of me had been fooling me along with his dad for so long.

But the evidence was right there. I had to believe it.

Just as I was about to speak, the door was kicked open with a crash.

I looked up in panic. Four burly men were blocking the doorway.

"Mommy!" Lucas was scared. He cried and hid in my arms.

"Is Andrew Shaw home?" one of them asked.

Andrew turned pale and scrambled towards the bedroom, but he was no match for these guys.

One of the thugs dragged him to the living room like he was a ragdoll.

"When are you paying back the one million you owe us?" The thug, Big Mike, grabbed him by the hair and yelled.

"Mike, give me more time. My wife can earn money. If push comes to shove, she can even work the night shift. I'll pay you back soon," Andrew pleaded.

Hearing this, Big Mike narrowed his eyes at me.

My heart sank. I quickly spoke up, "You should leave now, or I'll call the cops. You'll get the money in ten days. Otherwise, do whatever you like to my husband."

Andrew looked at me, shocked, as if he couldn't believe I'd say such a thing.

"It's not one million anymore. It's one and a half million. Make it two million if you don't pay up soon." Big Mike sneered coldly.

He warned Andrew, "You hear that? If you can't pay, we'll take your house. And if you delay any longer, more terrible things will happen."

"Mike, I got it! I'll work hard, I promise!" Andrew said frantically.

The four men gave Andrew a brutal kicking before finally leaving.

The door slammed shut. I instantly let go of Lucas and collapsed onto the floor.

[The male lead owes so much but won't use his salary to pay it off, just thinks about squeezing the wife dry!]

[The wife is about to use the lottery winnings to pay the male lead's debt. Once he finishes transferring the assets, he'll kick her out and get with the female lead!]

[Can't wait to see the main couple's steamy scenes!]

My hand, clutching the lottery ticket in my pocket, tightened. If I hadn't seen the comments, I would have immediately taken out the ticket and told Andrew to go pay the debt.

But he planned to transfer assets and divorce me.

I quietly slipped the ticket back into my pocket.

Andrew looked at me, disappointed, and scolded me sharply. "Emma, what was that about earlier? I'm your husband. How could you say such heartless words? You are tearing this family apart!"

Hearing this, I sneered inwardly.

I knew he was thinking about his mistress.

I didn't want to deal with Andrew. I turned to go to my room and contact the lottery office.

But Andrew grabbed my arm tightly. "The diner downstairs is hiring. Go get that job now. You promised Big Mike the money in ten days. If there's no money then, you deal with him yourself."

With that, he started dragging me out.

I struggled hard, but I was no match for a man's strength.

Then, Lucas came over. I saw him wink at Andrew. "Mommy, this is a gift Dad and I got for you. Dad loves you so much, please help him."

I opened the box. Inside was a red string bracelet with a tiny, pitiful-looking gold bead.