Chapter 1

My mother-in-law stormed into my house, only to collapse from rage. I hurriedly dialed 911.

A snicker came from the other side. It was my husband's mistress. "Can't even get the address straight? You're really hopeless."

The delay cost precious minutes. My mother-in-law's life was saved, but she lost her speech and half her body to paralysis.

I screamed at my husband, "That was murder!"

Coldly, he replied, "Your mom's paralysis is your own fault. Don't you dare extort Cathy."

I glanced at the woman in the bed, and then at his heartless face. Little did he know that the one lying there, needing her feces and urine wiped, was his own mother.

*****

My mother-in-law, Helen, was still sprawled on the floor, her face pale as a ghost and her lips quivering. She was a far cry from the fierce woman she'd been not even half an hour ago.

I took a deep breath and dialed 911. With the cops' help, we finally got an ambulance, and Helen was whisked away with sirens blaring.

As I stared at those blinding lights flashing on top of the ambulance, a cold shiver ran down my spine. I couldn't stop replaying the chaos from just moments before in my head.

Just half an hour ago, I was at home taking care of my mom. She'd had a fall recently and ended up with a hairline fracture in her foot.

When she asked again why she hadn't seen David around lately, I smoothly dodged the question, saying he was just swamped with work and out on business trips.

My mom frowned. She'd been staying with me for almost a month to recover from her injury, but she hadn't seen David even once, and he hadn't called either.

Just then, the door was suddenly flung open. "Olivia, you useless, barren woman. Get out of my son's house!" Helen shouted.

She barged in with her key, wearing a gaudy, brightly colored dress that reeked of last night's booze, cigarettes, and cheap perfume. She jabbed her short, stubby finger right at my nose, yelling at the top of her lungs.

"My son could have anyone he wants. You worthless bitch, you can't even have a kid, and you have the nerve to kick him out? This house belongs to my son. Pack your stuff and get out, now!"

I forced myself to stay calm and tried to talk her down. "Mom, this is my house. Please leave. Whatever's going on between David and me is none of your business."

"Your house? Ha!" Helen scoffed, her bright red lips flapping as she spewed venom. "This place belongs to my son. You're just a useless, barren woman. What gives you the right to squat here?

"You two have been married for five years; even a hen would've laid a whole clutch by now. You're not even as good as a hen. Listen up, women like you don't deserve a place like this!"

She was spitting insults, her breath reeking as she turned her glare to my mom in the wheelchair, instantly finding a new target.

"And you. You old invalid, don't you dare live in my son's house. The whole lot of you are just freeloaders, dragging my son down. Take your worthless daughter and get out, now!"

My mom was trembling with anger, trying to talk back, but it only set off a fit of coughing. I didn't even bother with Helen and rushed to help my mom breathe easier.

Seeing this, Helen got even nastier. "You old witch, quit playing the victim. If you're gonna kick the bucket, do it outside. Don't drag it out in here!"

Her eyes swept the room, and when she spotted a cup on the table, she snatched it and hurled the water at my mom. "You worthless cripple, think you deserve a drink? You're not even good enough for my pee!"

I threw myself in front of my mom, but could only block some of the water. When I saw it splatter all over her cast, I finally lost it. "Helen, get this straight. This house is mine. David doesn't have a cent in it!"

Ever since I married David, Helen had insisted that I call her Mom, just like he did. So now, hearing me call her by her name, she was absolutely furious.

I glared at her, my face twisted with fury. "I only told people it was half his because I pitied him. The truth is, I paid for this place, before we even got married. You know damn well how dirt poor your family was!"

Helen's doughy face flushed a dark, angry purple. "Don't give me that crap. My son landed a job at a top hospital the moment he graduated. How could he possibly be broke? I'm your mother-in-law. Don't you dare talk to me like this!"

I sneered, stepping right up to her. "Remember when your younger son knocked up that girl? David had to fork over a ton of cash to get his brother out of the mess.