Chapter 1

My wife and her “male best friend” were fooling around in a car out in the suburbs when a truck came out of nowhere, sending them crashing down a hill.

The doctor said, “If you want to save her leg, you need to come up with $30,000 for the surgery.”

Hearing that, I, a grown man, broke down in tears.

“My wife is the best dancer in this city! She makes a living and her reputation with those legs!”

“If she loses them, she won’t want to live!”

“So please, when you amputate, just be gentle, okay?”

When I arrived at the hospital, I quickly tried to wipe the grin off my face that I’d had since the drive over.

I rushed to the bedside, dropped to my knees, and started crying my heart out.

“Emily, what were you thinking?”

“If you’re going to have an affair, at least pick a safer spot! I wouldn’t have cared as long as you’re safe!”

“Please, don’t think you owe me anything just because you did something so... disgraceful. Don’t go and do anything drastic, alright?”

Even the nurse nearby was moved, probably not used to seeing such a “devoted” man.

But the doctor pulled me aside and said firmly, “Quit stalling. You need to raise the money. Her leg can still be saved.”

I stood up right away. “Right, I’ll get on it. I’ll call my mother-in-law.”

I dialed Linda’s number.

“Mom! Send me $30,000! Annie needs it for surgery!”

“What kind of surgery needs 30 grand? Do I look stupid? I’m not giving you a penny! You're useless! Get lost!”

“But Mom, it’s serious…”

“Serious my ass! I’ll deal with the next hand! You’re busted!” Click — she hung up.

Everyone in the room heard her loud and clear, thanks to my phone’s speaker mode. The last beep beep sound of the disconnected call echoed through the room.

I struggled to keep the smirk off my face and looked at the doctor helplessly.

“I’m sorry, Doc. I’ve got no money.”

“My wife cherishes those legs more than anything.”

“So when you amputate, just... be careful, okay?”

The doctor nodded toward my wife’s lover and asked, “What about him? Are we saving him?”

“Of course! My wife really likes him. She can live with prosthetic legs, but if he dies, well, there’s no replacement for that. You have to save him!”

I wiped my tears and added, “But, you know, I don’t think I’m really in a position to sign his consent form.”

The doctor rolled his eyes and pushed my wife into the operating room. The nurse shot me a sympathetic glance before following.

As soon as they disappeared, I sent a message to Jim, my father-in-law: “Annie’s leg is gone. Mom refused to help. This is unbearable.”