$80 For Her, I Dumped My Husband

Chapter 2 Walked out Without Looking Back

Elizabeth got home late that night.

The light was on in Edgar's study, but she didn't bother looking. She just dragged her tired body into the bathroom, ready to take a shower and go to sleep.

But the second she turned on the showerhead, her breath got stuck in her throat.

A loud hiss came out, blood-red water pouring down from the showerhead.

"Ah!" Elizabeth screamed and jerked backward. Her back slammed into the vanity, and the pain made her gasp.

Fear flooded through her. The metallic smell of blood filled her nose. Her vision started spinning.

She had a phobia of blood.

"Edgar!" she screamed without thinking, running out barefoot. A thousand terrified thoughts rushed through her head. She made it to the study door, then heard Judith's clear, taunting voice from inside.

She said, "Edgar, you actually hung up on me yesterday. So I left you a little surprise in your shower. Bet it grossed you out today, didn't it?"

Elizabeth froze.

Edgar let out a deep, heavy sigh. His voice carried some helplessness. "Judith, aren't you being childish? You're a grown woman. Still playing these games? Last time, you were the one being unreasonable."

"Me? Unreasonable?" Judith's voice turned sharp. "You forgot my birthday. I just wanted to make you miserable."

Edgar let out a soft laugh—and if you listened closely, there was even a hint of affection in it. "Do whatever you want. Oh, by the way, I was busy with work today. Never made it to the bathroom."

The call ended. Elizabeth held onto the hallway wall just to stay upright. All the strength had drained out of her body.

So it was Judith's prank.

But the dizziness kept coming in waves. She sank to the floor, pressed a hand against her racing heart, and started shaking.

After the wedding, every single one of those childhood "games" ended with her getting hurt.

Was she supposed to live like this—always scared, always waiting for the next disaster?

"Elizabeth?" Edgar heard her and walked over quickly. "What happened? Did something scare you?"

He reached out to help her up. But his first words were, "Judith's getting out of hand. But we've been like this since we were kids. Don't take it too seriously."

In that moment, Elizabeth's heart turned cold.

She slapped Edgar's hand away. Her voice was still shaking. "This isn't a game anymore. It's deliberate torment. Poisoning. k********g. Those aren't just little pranks. I can't take it anymore. I'm calling the police."

Elizabeth reached for her phone, but Edgar grabbed her wrist. His eyes went dark. "It was just a joke. You really want to drag her to the police station over this? You already almost got Judith in trouble tonight with your false report. Can you stop being so petty?"

"Am I the crazy one, or are you?" Elizabeth struggled to pull her hand free. Her voice trembled. "You and Judith are both insane. Let go of me. I'm calling the police."

"Judith and I have been fighting like this our whole lives. She doesn't mean any harm."

"So you want her to actually kill me?" she asked.

Edgar looked at her—at how serious she was—and irritation flashed in his eyes. He snatched the phone from her, raised his arm, and slammed it hard on the floor.

A loud c***k split the air. Then everything went quiet.

Elizabeth stood frozen. All the blood in her body felt like it had turned to ice.

For a second, Edgar looked almost sorry. But then his voice went cold. "Happy now? Judith just likes to have fun. She's not malicious. Stop painting her as the villain."

Elizabeth didn't say another word. The light in her eyes slowly faded.

Edgar opened his mouth, like he wanted to say something—but his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and answered right away.

His tone immediately softened. "Okay, stop fussing. I'm not mad at you... Yeah, I'll bring you some food."

He hung up and turned to Elizabeth. His voice held a stiff kind of apology. "Elizabeth, I need to go check on Judith. Your phone... I'll buy you a new one tomorrow. I'll have someone clean the bathroom. Go take a shower and get some rest."

Then he turned and walked out without looking back.

Elizabeth watched his hurried figure disappear. She gave a bitter smile. Then she started counting silently in her head.

'Seven days...'