Chapter 3
I put together a thorough file of evidence and mailed it right to the president's office at the university.
The rehiring position was rightfully mine—no way I'd let that homewrecker snatch it away.
With some help from one of my younger friends, I even hired a private investigator and had them dig up every last secret—left no stone unturned.
Richard and David hadn't come home for half a month—until my birthday party.
I was planning to use this chance to finally air out all the dirty laundry in front of everyone.
But to my surprise, Richard actually brought Grace to my birthday party, even letting her take the seat of honor at the main table.
As the birthday lady, I might as well have been invisible. David kept serving Grace food, acting affectionately.
Some confused relatives started asking questions, and David immediately jumped in to answer.
He said, "My mom's been a bit emotional lately. Grace is my dad's old friend, and she stopped by just to talk some sense into her."
Richard said, "Right? We're getting old, but she keeps suspecting I'm cheating! If there was something between me and Grace, she wouldn't have even ended up marrying me."
Just a few smooth lines from those two, and suddenly my whole rant at the gambling room was spun into nothing more than a crazy menopausal episode.
And of course, the relatives ate it up—before I knew it, they were all telling me that I was just overthinking things.
Just then, the front door was kicked open, and Grace's gambler husband barged in, yelling at the top of his lungs.
His husband Larry shouted, "Grace, you shameless bitch! How dare you hook up with another man? Get your ass home right now!"
Eyes bloodshot, Larry grabbed Grace by the hair and dragged her out the door, without giving a damn about the crowd.
Richard tried to intervene, but Larry shot him a glare, and Richard instantly chickened out.
He just stood there helplessly, fuming, but didn't dare face Larry head-on.
In the end, he had nowhere else to dump his rage, so he snapped at me, "Are you insane? Why do you have to turn this into such a damn circus?"
I snorted, staring him right back in the eye, absolutely unfazed by his angry glare.
I said, "A circus? Come on. She won't even divorce her deadbeat husband for you, but you still shower her with gifts and real estate. Tell me, who's actually got egg on their face here?"
I flicked my wrist, scattering those intimate photos the PI dug up all over the floor—Richard and Grace cozy as hell together. He looked downright mortified.
And now, I was all set to use up my savings and take Richard to court for a divorce.
But when I checked my banking app, I found that my account had been wiped clean.
I dialed Richard in a panic, but instead, Ethan picked up.
He said, "Mom, Dad took that money to pay for Grace's medical expenses. You got her so riled up at the gambling room, and she's still in the hospital. Someone's gotta cover the bills, right?"
When I pushed open the ward door, Richard was there, almost ridiculously attentive, peeling an apple for Grace.
Grace's face was mottled with bruises—clearly, Larry had worked her over.
As soon as she saw me, she spoke up in a fragile voice, "Richard, I'm thirsty. Could you get me some warm water?"
Richard sprang up like he'd just been given an order from on high, set down the fruit knife, and rushed out of the room.
Once we were alone in the ward, Grace showed off her gold bracelet, waving her wrist around with a smug little smile.
She said, "Richard's money, even your whole paycheck—it all got spent by me."
She pulled out the latest phone, flaunting it right in my face.
"And all kinds of overseas trips. Your salary made all those fancy vacations possible," Grace taunted.
"Face it, you're nothing but a loser. Richard's money, even yours—in the end, every last cent ended up on me. Isn't that pathetic?" she sneered.
All those years he was "away on business trips"—it turned out he was busy gallivanting around the world with her.
Just then, her phone rang, and David's familiar voice came through on the other end.
"Grace, are you feeling any better? Work's been crazy lately, so I just can't get away to visit you," David said.
"I just sent you 300 bucks. Get yourself something good to help you recover," he added smoothly.
On the other end, David's voice kept going—oily and flattering, laying it on thick.
"Come on, Ethan, say 'Grandma' with me... That's right, Grandma. Good job!" David coaxed his little son.
Listening to that baby-soft voice on the phone, calling Grace 'Grandma', I felt my heart sink to rock bottom. After all these years, I'd somehow ended up raising a bunch of ungrateful brats.
Richard came back carrying the kettle of hot water and spotted me standing by the door, pale as a sheet. He frowned impatiently.
"Why are you just standing here?" he snapped.
I didn't bother looking at them—just kept my voice calm. "Richard, let's get a divorce."
Richard burst out laughing, like I'd just told the funniest joke on earth. "Divorce? You? At your age? Where would you go—end up sleeping on the streets?"
Not only was I getting a divorce, but I was taking back every single thing they conned out of me—down to the very last cent.
Just as his mocking words faded, the ward door was suddenly shoved open by two policemen.
"Richard Carter, you're coming with us," one of the policemen said.