He Let His Mother Die for His Mistress

Chapter 2

There was no point arguing with Eric anymore. "Then let's get divorced. Meet me at the clerk's office at 10 a.m. tomorrow to get our divorce decree."

He stared at me for a long time. "Diana, how will you pay your mother's medical bills without me?"

My nails dug into my palms. He knew exactly what frightened me most, and exactly what I needed. I wondered whether he'd still sound so smug when he found out that the woman on the operating table was his own mother.

"That's none of your concern."

I was about to head into the bedroom to pack when Megan spoke, as though she'd finally worked up the courage. "Diana, women really should be a little more independent. You can't rely on a man for everything."

I looked at her and let out a laugh. "Did he teach you that?"

She fell silent. I held her gaze. "Then remember this. He got down on his knees and begged me not to work. One day, you'll be where I am now."

I packed my things in the bedroom and wheeled my suitcase out without looking back.

The next morning, Eric didn't show up at the clerk's office. I waited for 2 hours. I called him more than 10 times, but his phone was off.

It wasn't until 11:30 a.m. that he sent me a message.

Eric: Megan has her first meeting with a potential business partner today. I can't leave. If you really want a divorce, take me to court.

I stood outside the clerk's office, the ticket with my waiting number crumpled in my hand. The wind swept up the steps and stung my eyes. I didn't reply. I went straight to the hospital.

My mother-in-law was still unconscious, and her vital signs weren't encouraging. Bills for one medication after another arrived on my phone. Sitting beside her bed, I looked at her pale, motionless face and thought of everything she'd done for me.

When I was sick and had no appetite, she'd cook different meals until she found something I could eat. When I needed an IV at the hospital, she stayed with me and handled the registration and payment. Whenever Eric and I argued, she always took my side. Even when he'd knelt and begged me to give up my job, she'd urged me not to give in.

'How did everything end up like this?'

My phone rang. It was Eric. I stepped out of the room to answer, and he immediately launched into accusations.

"Did you sell the apartment I gave you? At that price? Have you lost your mind?"

As always, all he cared about was what something was worth. "A life is at stake," I said coldly. "Mom is still in the hospital. I have to save her."

"That's still no excuse. You have no idea how much that apartment could appreciate! You're hopeless, Diana. If you sell a property every time something goes wrong, you'll squander the Caldwell family's entire fortune!"

"It was my apartment! My name was on the deed. I can sell it for whatever I want!" I screamed. "I'm not a cold-blooded monster like you who puts a price on everything!"

He was silent for a moment, then gave a cold laugh. "Fine. Sell it. That's all your mother's life is worth anyway." He hung up at once.

I leaned against the wall, gasping for breath. Suddenly, an alarm sounded in the room, and the doctors rushed in. "Her oxygen partial pressure is dropping! Her oxygen saturation is staying below 93%, and her heart rate is rising! We suspect multiple organ failure from complications. She needs surgery immediately!"

My vision went dark. I almost collapsed to my knees in the corridor.