Chapter 2

"This analysis report should be sufficient."

My friend Marcus handed over a tablet, pointing at the data on it.

"Thanks for your hard work."

"Don't forget, tomorrow we're giving Mr. Anderson that big gift."

With that, I let out a long breath and clicked on the surveillance video Marcus had just sent.

Every day before I came home from work, the surveillance showed Sophia walking out of my front door.

The time she entered typically lasted at least two hours.

Two days was too long.

I just wanted to end this as quickly as possible.

When paying the bill at the restaurant, the server informed me my card had insufficient funds.

For all these years, the Anderson family had strictly controlled all my spending.

Ostensibly it was for responsible family finances, but actually it just ensured that I, the "outsider," could never control any real financial power.

David transferred money to my card monthly.

When he was in a good mood, he'd give more. When he wasn't, not a cent.

Since he changed the door lock without telling me the password, this card hadn't received any deposits in a long time.

The next day, at dawn, I prepared to go home to get my things.

Before I even entered the community, a group of neighbors were pointing and whispering about me.

"Isn't that the Anderson wife?"

"I heard she found someone else and wants to abandon her disabled husband!"

"David's such a good man. He's been so strong after the accident. Poor thing!"

The gossip kept coming, their contemptuous gazes following me.

I was about to turn around.

"Honey~"

A car stopped beside me. The window rolled down—David sat in the passenger seat.

"I knew you'd come back. I bought you a gift. Come home and see."

I got in the back seat expressionlessly.

I immediately spotted that expensive custom shirt and casually tossed it out the window.

David's mouth just moved. He didn't dare say a word.

"My God, that's a designer brand! Just thrown away like that?"

The driver looked at me in shock.

"Drive. To the garage," I commanded briefly.

He suppressed his emotions and drove home in silence.

The driver got out first, skillfully retrieved the wheelchair from the trunk, and helped David sit in it.

The door opened. Sophia was standing in the living room.

David looked shocked, forced himself to stay calm, but stuttered slightly:

"Sophia... we had an appointment... early this morning... for a rehabilitation assessment."

I didn't want to deal with them and headed straight for the bedroom.

I was only here to retrieve the valuable family heirloom my father had left behind.

Now, David didn't deserve to have it.

Before I could step into the bedroom, Sophia moved to block me, her face full of false relief.

"Katherine, it's good that you know to come back."

"Mr. David needs your support. His recovery depends on family care."

She pulled me toward her as she spoke.

I shook her off. She forcibly tried to pull me again.

Unable to bear it anymore, I flung her hand away, disgusted:

"Move."

I quickly walked into the room and opened the hidden compartment in the nightstand to retrieve the velvet box containing the heirloom.

Sophia wouldn't give up and followed me in, trying to grab the box but missing.

"My father's belongings—you think you're worthy of touching them?"

I pushed her away forcefully. Sophia staggered back several steps.

Instantly, a cry of alarm erupted as she fell.

Sophia collapsed on the floor, clutching her elbow.

Seeing this, David anxiously wheeled himself forward and yelled at me without asking questions:

"Katherine! What did you do to her!"

Sophia immediately got up by herself and went to support him. "David, don't get upset! It's all my fault. I just wanted her to care more about your recovery, but Katherine doesn't care at all. She even... pushed me away."

David suddenly reached out, snatched the box from my hand, and smashed it hard on the floor, his eyes red:

"Just for this pile of junk! You'd hurt someone who came to help me?"

My head buzzed. I just wanted to check if the items were intact.

Fortunately, there was cushioning inside the box. The contents were safe.

Sophia shrilly accused me from behind:

"You're absolutely cold-blooded! I fell down and you don't care, but you go check on some old object! Is this thing more important than your husband's recovery?"

David sat in his wheelchair, staring at me with red-rimmed eyes:

"Katherine, you'd better pray nothing happened to Sophia!"

"Take your stuff and get out of my house!"

"Never come back!"

"After tomorrow, I won't just leave you with nothing in the divorce—I'll make you pay the price!"

"Get out!"

He shouted out of control, grabbing things nearby and throwing them wildly.

I just calmly protected the box and left this suffocating place.