Chapter 1The $40,000 Lie

Late at night, my husband cried bitterly: "Mom was suddenly hospitalized, the doctor said we need $40,000 immediately! Transfer the money now!"

"I'll go to the hospital right now!" I was worried sick.

"No! You'll just cause trouble. I can handle it alone." He stopped me.

Feeling sorry for my father-in-law, I gave him my bank card immediately.

But the next day, I couldn't rest easy, so I quietly went to the hospital.

From the ward came my mother-in-law's sneer: "Son, that move was brilliant. That fool is so easy to trick, she's literally our family's ATM."

"$40,000 in hand, enough for us to splurge for a while." My husband sounded triumphant.

I silently took out my phone and dialed the bank's customer service.

* * *

Cold wind poured in from the window at the end of the hospital corridor, unable to disperse the chill in my heart.

I leaned against the cold wall, my finger sliding on the phone screen, finding that familiar bank customer service number.

The moment the call connected, I heard my own voice, calm like a stranger.

"Hello, my bank card seems to have been stolen. I need to report it lost immediately."

The other side asked formulaic confirmation questions.

I answered one by one, my voice without a ripple, as if narrating something unrelated to myself.

Hanging up, I deleted the call log, along with that recording that pierced my eardrums, cleaning everything up.

After doing all this, I realized my fingertips were frozen white and numb.

Returning to the empty shell called "home," I didn't turn on the lights.

Darkness is the best camouflage, hiding all out-of-control expressions on my face.

I sat on the sofa all night without closing my eyes.

When the sky turned slightly bright, I walked into the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror.

Eyes bloodshot, face pale and haggard, looking extremely worried about my mother-in-law's condition.

Good, just like this.

At 5 AM, the sound of a key turning came from the entrance.

Jason was back.

He carried a body full of fatigue, his eyes showing feigned sadness and haggardness.

Seeing me, he froze for a moment, then walked over quickly to hug me.

"Chloe, why haven't you slept yet?"

His voice was hoarse, full of deliberately created emotion.

I stiffly leaned into his arms, nausea churning in my stomach.

This man, my husband, just a few hours ago, triumphantly called me a "fool" and an "ATM."

"I was worried about Mom, couldn't sleep." I buried my head in his chest, perfectly hiding my cold eyes.

"It's okay now, it's all over." He patted my back, tone like unloading a heavy burden, "The surgery fee is paid. Mom's surgery is scheduled for tomorrow. The doctor said it's not a big problem."

Surgery?

A non-existent surgery.

My heart was cold as iron.

"That's good, that's good." I cooperated with a sigh of relief, crying in my voice.

He helped me sit on the sofa, poured himself a glass of water, and drank it all.

That posture, as if he really was the filial son running around for his mother.

He sat back next to me, holding my hand.

His palm was warm as always, but at this moment, I just wanted to pull away immediately.

"Chloe, thank you so much this time."

"If not for you, I wouldn't know what to do."

He looked at me, eyes full of rehearsed "deep affection" and "gratitude."

Looking at this familiar face, for the first time, I discovered every expression of his could be calculated.

"We are husband and wife, why say this." I squeezed out a weak smile.

He nodded with satisfaction, then changed the subject.

"By the way, Chloe, tomorrow I might need your ID to process a supplementary insurance procedure. It can reduce a lot of costs."

Here it comes.

Their greed is endless; $40,000 is just the beginning.

The next step of the scam is to use my identity information to leverage more benefits.

I lowered my eyelids, hiding the flash of hatred.

"But... I left my ID at my parents' place a few days ago, forgot to bring it back."

I said carefully, with a trace of apology.

Jason's brow furrowed imperceptibly.

A trace of impatience flashed in his eyes, but was immediately covered by his perfect acting.

"It's okay, I'll ask tomorrow to see if we can delay it." He said considerately.

"Mmhmm." I nodded obediently.

Late at night, we lay in the same bed.

I turned my back to him, clearly feeling his steady breathing.

He had fallen asleep with peace of mind.

And I was soberly feeling the chill coming from every inch of my skin.

The person beside my pillow is an executioner.

Marriage is a slow torture.

Now, it's my turn to hold the knife.