Chapter 1

My in-laws’ family got bitten by venomous snakes while camping. Only my husband’s company had the antidote.

I called my husband, but faint, suggestive moans and the unmistakable sound of splashing water came from the other end.

Before I could even speak, he hung up.

My in-laws' family died at the hospital due to delayed treatment.

Then Liam called me back, "Don't cremate your parents' bodies; bring them to my company as cadavers for anatomical study."

He thought my parents were the ones bitten by the snakes.

I hung up, looking at the five bodies behind me. Following his instructions, I sent them to his company.

When I arrived at the hospital, my in-laws' family was already in critical condition.

The doctor said this venomous snake was extremely rare, and only my husband Liam's company stocked the special antidote.

I frantically called Liam, but each time, he rejected my call.

On my hundredth attempt, he finally picked up.

"It's Serena's birthday tonight, and I'm spending the evening with her. Stop being so paranoid!"

Worried about my in-laws in the ER, I swallowed my questions and quickly said,

"Our parents and Willow, Jackson—they were all bitten by snakes. The hospital doesn't have the antidote for this type of snake, only your company does. Please, bring the medicine to the hospital now!"

Before I could finish, Liam impatiently cut me off, his tone mocking and cold.

"One dose of antidote costs hundreds of thousands. Chloe, do you and your family have no shame?"

"Your whole family got bitten, and now you're trying to exploit my company? What do you take me for? A fool?"

"You should really reflect on yourself."

He hung up mercilessly, then blocked my number.

I slumped onto the hospital chair, my mind numb, utterly unable to believe those words had come from my husband's mouth.

My phone pinged with a notification from the Chanel sales associate, informing me that a custom-ordered, limited-edition bag, a birthday gift my parents had gotten for me, worth a fortune, had just been picked up by my husband.

I didn't need to guess. That bag was probably already slung over Serena's arm.

Stealing my things to give to his pure and perfect Serena—he’d done it countless times.

Every time I protested, he’d just scoff.

"You have a husband; no one cares if you're showing off with such an expensive bag. Let Serena use it; she's closing some business deals lately."

"Don't be so petty, Serena is like a sister to me! If you love me, you should tolerate my kindness towards her."

He put Serena on a pedestal, giving her limited-edition bags without a second thought, lavishing sports cars and luxury homes on her like they were nothing. He might as well carve her name on his heart.

And I, his actual wife, wasn't even deemed worthy of a few doses of life-saving medicine.

It was laughable.

I was typing a message to the Chanel sales associate when Liam posted on Ins: "The most precious bag for the most precious person. Tonight belongs to us."

Serena's post followed immediately: "My knight said he'd always be there for his princess. Your medicine not only saved my family but also saved my heart."

The post featured a photo of them intimately embracing.

Serena had my bag slung over her shoulder, holding up the special antidote, grinning from ear to ear.

A blinding rage surged through me, so intense I almost blacked out.

Liam was a heartless monster, throwing away fortunes to worship Serena, yet ignoring the lives of his own family!

The emergency room doors slowly opened, and the doctor walked out.

I rushed over, "Please, just a little more time. I'll get the medicine here as fast as I can."

The doctor shook his head, removing his mask. "It's no use. The patients no longer have vital signs. Please accept our condolences."