Chapter 2

"Why not?"

Lucia admired her diamond-studded manicure.

"Because there's no point. That woman already spent her youth helping him build his career."

"If you were a man who got rich and then looked at your wife who's already old and faded, would you still spend money on her? Can money bring back her youth?"

The glass reflection showed my slightly haggard face.

Lucia leaned toward me.

"I can see that although you're older than me, you still have some looks. Since we're fated to meet, let me give you some advice."

"Women really should invest in medical aesthetics and beauty treatments. I can see your skin is already getting dry-your husband probably isn't interested in you anymore, is he?"

I stared at her without speaking.

Her skin was flawless.

I used to be like that too.

In fact... I was even prettier than her.

Ten years in a rental apartment, buffeted by wind and rain-when I look at my old photos now, I barely recognize myself.

"Medical aesthetics... that's expensive."

"So what?"

Lucia shrugged. "My sugar daddy gives me $500,000 a month for living expenses, and he reimburses these beauty treatments too."

I looked at the small crystal on Lucia's winged eyeliner,

My hands trembled as I clutched my clothes.

"How long have you been his mistress?"

"Since June 12th, 2023. Why?"

My grip on my clothes tightened.

June 12th, 2023.

The day my mother died.

That day, my mother needed $500,000 for surgery.

I remember clearly how Vincent begged everyone he knew and used all his own savings to scrape together $350,000 for me.

That was nearly everything he had earned since he started working.

In the end, despite my desperate efforts, I could only come up with $80,000.

My mother still died.

That day he held me tight, tears streaming down his face.

"It's my fault. I'm useless-I couldn't even earn enough for Mom's medical bills! You've suffered so much with me..."

My heart felt like it was being cut by knives.

I still wiped away his tears.

"You managed to get $350,000 together. I'm grateful."

"Mom said you did your best. She doesn't blame you, and neither do I... I'm the one who couldn't come up with the remaining $150,000..."

His tears fell onto the back of my hand.

He gripped my hand tightly.

"Nina, just wait a little longer. Please wait for me... I promise I won't let us suffer like this anymore..."

I nodded through my tears.

$500,000...

So he could have gotten it after all.

"You know what? That woman's mom also needed exactly $500,000 that month." Lucia said.

I looked at her.

She winked her left eye at me. "Actually, he was originally going to give it to her."

My breath caught. "Did he use it for your living expenses instead?"

"No, he's so rich-giving me $500,000 still leaves him with plenty more."

"Then why didn't he give it to his wife's mother?"

"Because..." Lucia rested her chin on her hand. "I told him that once her mother died, that woman would have no family left. Then even if he got caught keeping me on the side, she wouldn't dare say anything."

My teeth were about to shatter from how hard I was biting down.

"Plus, that month I had my eye on a new Chanel piece that cost exactly $500,000."

I stared at her intently.

"Aren't you afraid his wife will find out what you did?"

"Please, I'm way too smart for that." Lucia laughed.

"I gave him the idea to take out $350,000 and pretend it was all his savings. His wife would just think her husband did his best-she'd never check if he had someone on the side!"