Chapter 5

I bought a nice condo in the city center and got myself a decent SUV.

Since my company was shifting its business focus back home, I couldn't live in a hotel forever.

Plus, this was my hometown. I needed a place to call my own.

Shortly after I posted a picture of my new place on Instagram, a text from Michelle popped up on my screen.

"Wow, three years abroad and you can already afford a luxury condo and a new car? And you still claim you only left with $5,000? What a joke!"

"Don't worry about suing me, because I’ve already contacted my lawyer. You hid and transferred marital assets during our divorce."

"I want my fair share. Transfer $200,000 to my account right now, or you'll be receiving a court summons."

"If we go to court, it won't just be $200,000 anymore."

I stared at the screen for a long time, making sure I wasn't hallucinating.

Michelle had gotten even crazier over the years. It was almost funny.

"Go ahead and sue me, you psycho!" I replied. "I want to see if you can squeeze a single penny out of me!"

"Don't worry, I won't miss the court date. I'll be there."

I immediately blocked her number, refusing to waste another second of my life on her.

Michelle had barely worked a day in her life. She had no idea how hard it was to make money, nor did she understand how quickly a motivated man could build wealth in three years.

And working three jobs? Only a gullible kid like Barbara would believe that garbage.

If Michelle had ever worked a single real job, she wouldn't be this delusional.

On the first of the following month, a random number started calling me repeatedly.

The moment I picked up, Michelle's shrill voice blasted through.

"Where is this month's child support? Why hasn't it been transferred yet? Do you really want to watch Barbara starve?"

"Send the money today, or I’ll file for a court order to freeze your accounts!"

It seemed Barbara hadn't told Michelle that I had already transferred the money directly to her.

I decided not to ruin Barbara's secret.

"I will always pay child support. That is my duty. But I will never send another dime to you."

"From now on, all child support goes directly into Barbara’s account. Stop dreaming about touching it."

"Michelle, I don't care that you lied about me to Barbara. You're the one raising her, after all."

"You can make her feel indebted to you all you want, but how could you let her live in such poverty?"

"I left you all the assets, and I sent you extra money every month. Is this how you take care of our daughter?"

"She looks so thin and malnourished it breaks my heart. How could you do that to her?"

My words seemed to strike a nerve, and she instantly lost her mind.

"You think the tiny amount of money you sent is enough? Do you have any idea how expensive it is to raise a teenager? You have no right to lecture me!"

"And how is she living in poverty? Did I starve her? Did I leave her naked?"

"I carry all the stress of raising this child every single day, and you, a deadbeat who did nothing, think you can judge me?"

Knowing it was useless to argue, I cut her off.

"Michelle, I have nothing left to say to you."

"The child support will be paid, but never to your account. Do not call me again."

"No! She's only fifteen! She can't manage money! You have to transfer it to me!"

I hung up and blocked the number, then sent a message to Barbara on WhatsApp.

"Barbara, your mom just called me demanding child support."

Barbara replied almost instantly.

"What do you mean? You promised the money was mine! Did you betray me?"