Chapter 1

When my husband, John Sanders, realized my mother-in-law, Peggy, had left us $15 million, he immediately wanted a divorce, just so he could marry his first love.

He said, "Back when I was poor, I had no choice but to stick with you. Now that I've got money, it's time to chase what I really wanted when I was young. Nobody's stopping me."

He said it with total confidence, not a shred of guilt on his face.

I asked, "What if I don't agree?"

My son, Eric, grabbed a glass and smashed it at my feet, accusing me of refusing to let John go.

He said, "Mom, why are you so selfish? Do you really have to keep Dad trapped and make him miss out on happiness? He's already settled for you all these years. Can't you just set him free?"

So, in their eyes, thirty years of marriage was nothing but settling, just making do.

Alice, my daughter-in-law who'd always looked down on me, sneered from the sidelines, her voice dripping with contempt.

She said, "Susan, John's a millionaire now. He deserves someone way better. Wives like you are only good for sticking around when things are tough, not for living a good life."

"Not for living a good life?" I repeated her words, my heart aching so badly that it felt like it might break.

What they didn't know was that I had a supplemental agreement to the will in my hands.

I had the right to take back the $15 million and keep it all for myself.

*****

I walked up to Peggy's portrait.

I clasped my hands together and slightly bowed.

The supplemental agreement to the will was hidden inside the frame of her portrait.

Peggy only revealed this secret to me right before she passed away.

She said, "Susan, I hit the jackpot and got $15 million. Life is giving me a way to repay you.

"I put all the money in John's name in my will just to test his true character..."

Turned out, no one knew her own son better than a mother. She'd already figured out John couldn't be trusted.

She didn't want me to muddle through life blindly, so she used the truth to open my eyes.

The supplemental agreement laid it out clearly: [If John Sanders ever divorces Susan White, every last cent of that $15 million he inherited goes straight to Susan White.]

How ironic. The supplemental agreement my mother-in-law left behind had become my only lifeline.

Seeing that I refused to sign the divorce agreement, John exchanged glances with Eric and Alice, signaling them to step in.

Alice said, "Susan, don't blame me for being harsh. Just look at your hands. They're as rough as a housemaid's.

"How could they ever compare to Melanie's piano-playing hands? Now that John's loaded, taking you out just makes him look bad."

As soon as she finished her words, Eric jumped in right away.

He said, "Don't blame us for being realistic. Melanie and Dad are made for each other. She's a piano teacher, classy and cultured, unlike you..."

"Unlike me? Because I'm just a caregiver?" I retorted.

I spun around to face Eric, so furious that I was shaking all over.

Sure enough, even my own kid was snobbish.

Kids always picked the parent with more money.

John, who'd been quiet up till now, waved me off, clearly losing patience.

"Enough with the nonsense. Susan, just sign the agreement already, or you'll be the one left looking foolish," he snapped.

I looked at the man I'd shared my life and my bed with, feeling pathetic.

We'd been married for thirty years.

As soon as he got his hands on millions, he wanted to throw me out like some trash.

But honestly, I shouldn't be surprised. His own mother was paralyzed for ten years, and he couldn't be bothered to care.

If I hadn't secretly paid the bills and looked after Peggy myself, she'd be long gone by now.

As all these memories flooded in, I felt a wave of clarity wash over me. I was finally done caring.

I picked up the divorce agreement, pen in hand, ready to sign away the past.

I looked at the man I'd spent thirty years with, the son I'd poured my heart and soul into raising, and the daughter-in-law I'd always treated like my own flesh and blood.

Then I spoke up, calm and collected, "Alright, I agree to the divorce."

All three of them visibly relaxed.

"But I have one condition," I added, acting like I didn't even notice their faces turning sullen.

I said, "You need to sign a statement saying you're giving up any rights to any property I might own in the future."

Eric and Alice exchanged glances and snickered.

To them, I was just some middle-aged caregiver. Like I'd ever have any real assets.

"That's my condition. If you don't agree, I'm not signing the divorce agreement," I said.

John waved his hand impatiently.

"Whatever, we'll do it your way. Just sign already. Melanie's waiting for my call," he snapped.

When I heard Melanie's name, my heart stung all over again.

Turned out they'd been in touch for ages, just waiting for this roadblock, me, to finally move aside.

Back when John had that stroke, he was the one who ended things with Melanie, not wanting to drag her down.

Not long after, he tied the knot with me, the caregiver who'd been looking after him.

When his health was failing, he needed someone to take care of him for everything, so of course he went for a caregiver.

Now that he was healthy and wealthy, he was itching to live it up and chase after excitement again.

I didn't say another word and just signed the divorce agreement.

Peggy had the foresight to know about the time that was needed to get all the procedures done.

The will clearly said the inheritance wouldn't be handed over until thirty days later.

Once the divorce was finalized, I'd let them taste what true loss really felt like.

They'd end up with nothing to show for all their plotting.