Chapter 1

To clear my girlfriend's debts, Mom and I worked ourselves to the bone. It cost Mom her life – she got lung cancer.

When I rushed to the hospital with the money to pay for her treatment, I found her gone. She'd taken her own life, leaving only a single letter:

"Kolt, don't waste money treating me. Use it to pay off Scarlett's debts. She loves you. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness."

Clutching Mom's ashes, I handed Scarlett the sixty thousand dollars Mom had left.

Back at the office, I walked in on her talking to a few creditors. It wasn't what I expected.

"Scarlett, Kolt has passed all your tests. What's next on your agenda?"

Scarlett's assistant, Brandon, suddenly spoke up:

"Scarlett, he might be able to tough it out with you, but we still need to see if he can handle prosperity."

Scarlett pursed her lips:

"Next, I need to know if he's truly sincere. If he doesn't covet my money once he knows who I really am, I'll marry him."

I looked at Mom's ashes, dissolving into a weeping mess.

My girlfriend's pre-wedding 'test' cost my mother her life.

And I? I swear, you'll all pay for this!