Chapter 1

My new wife is excessively supporting her brother financially.

I earn $40,000 a month, but she gives $35,000 to her brother, leaving us with only $5,000 for rent and groceries.

After eight months, I couldn't take it anymore and lied to her, saying I'd been fired.

To my surprise, she immediately asked for a divorce.

I thought she was joking until the next day when I overheard her in the bathroom, painting her nails and talking to her brother on speakerphone:

"He got fired after just eight months, what a loser."

"But we managed to get $280,000 from him, plus a $200,000 betrothal gift, enough for us to go back and get married."

Get married? Aren’t they supposed to be siblings?

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Hearing her phone conversation felt like a lightning bolt striking my brain.

They’re planning to get married? How can siblings get married?

The shocking realization overwhelmed me.

I fought the urge to confront her and kept eavesdropping outside the door.

She was still in there, talking leisurely, unaware that I was home.

“Making $480,000 in eight months, not bad. We didn’t lose out.”

“Yes, it’s a pity he got fired. Otherwise, with such a high salary, we could have stuck it out for two or three years, made a couple of million, and then moved to another city. Maybe even buy a car and a house.”

“I’m sorry, honey. Pretending to like someone you don’t must be hard, but it’s the easiest way for us to make money.”

“It’s not hard, babe. As long as we can earn enough to have a good life, I’m fine. Once he agrees to divorce, I’ll find a way to get some assets, hehe.”

“Honey, you’re working so hard, mwah mwah, I miss you. Come make me feel good.”

“Oh, stop it, after all that yesterday you still want more…”

As ridiculous as it sounds, I finally understood their real relationship.

The one on the phone is my wife, Fiona Adams, and on the other end is her so-called brother, Lachlan Adams.

We hadn’t known each other long before Fiona pursued me aggressively. In hindsight, it was just because my high salary met their goals.

I admit Fiona is stunning, so when she said she needed a $200,000 betrothal gift for her brother’s wedding, I willingly paid.

But after the wedding, she took $35,000 of my $40,000 salary each month for Lachlan, saying it was a tradition from her hometown to help her brother for two years so they wouldn’t have to worry about him later.

Thinking it was just two years, I gritted my teeth and bore it.

When my company went public, as a veteran employee, I was awarded $20 million in stock options, and my annual salary jumped to $1 million.

I rushed home eager to share the news with Fiona, only to receive a bank transfer notification for $35,000 to Lachlan at the door. On a whim, I decided to joke with her that I got fired.

But when Fiona heard I was fired, the usually gentle woman suddenly changed, tossed her spoon aside, and asked for a divorce.

I thought she was joking, so I pretended to feel guilty and said:

“I’m sorry, babe. I can’t give you a good life. If you really want a divorce, I won’t blame you.”

“If you want a divorce, let’s go to the county courthouse when it opens this afternoon.”

I thought she would comfort me, but instead, she dragged me to the courthouse.

Just as we arrived, her brother-in-law Lachlan showed up and pushed me aside.

I had no idea what I did to offend him. His glare felt like he wanted to eat me alive: “Nolan Brooks, divorcing my sister won’t be that easy. You promised to support me for two years. If you divorce her today, 70% of your assets go to her.”

Seeing this unfold, I realized Fiona was serious about the divorce.

I felt a mix of emotions. Despite being overly supportive of her brother, she was a near-perfect wife otherwise.

She was elegant, cooked well, and even prepared my bathwater every night. Marrying her felt like my greatest happiness.

I had asked her a few times about supporting her brother financially.

She didn’t work, but fortunately, my salary in New York City wasn’t low, a full $40,000 a month. Yet, the moment my salary hit the account, $35,000 would be transferred to Lachlan.

The remaining $5,000 was for rent, utilities, and meals. Life was tight.

Whenever I suggested using some savings, she’d laugh and say savings were for emergencies and shouldn’t be touched lightly.

Occasionally, looking at a table full of plain dishes, I’d get upset. But whenever I brought it up, she’d tear up, saying how hard it was raising her brother alone after their parents died.

I’d soften up, feeling too sorry to press the issue, and eventually stopped mentioning it.

Lachlan always called me brother-in-law, and whatever I said, he’d follow. He seemed so well-behaved that I decided to help him out, thinking two years would pass quickly.

But with just one joke, I discovered everything was fake. From Fiona and his conversation, it was clear they weren’t siblings but lovers!

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