Chapter 3

That evening, back home, Ethan put on an apron and busied himself in the kitchen.

Watching his back, I quietly turned and slipped into the study.

His laptop was sitting on the desk.

The password was our wedding anniversary.

The system booted up, and I directly opened his Snapchat on the desktop.

His chat history with Hailey was pinned at the top. Her contact name was "Baby Hailey 💖".

I clicked on it. The messages stretched back to three years ago, right before our wedding.

Ethan: *Hailey, I'm getting married.*

Hailey: *I know. I wish you happiness, Ethan.*

Ethan: *I'm sorry. My mom said Chloe's dad is a high-level executive and her family is wealthy. She can help my career. Just wait for me.*

Hailey: *It's okay. I'll wait.*

Staring at the words "I'll wait," the blood in my veins turned to ice.

So, from the very beginning, I was just a stepping stone in his calculations.

I scrolled down.

To the time after I fell ill.

Hailey: *Babe, the test results came back today. The doctor said the treatments here aren't working... I'm so scared.*

Ethan: *Don't be scared, baby. I'm here. Once Chloe's dad's insurance money clears, we’ll go to Switzerland. I'll get you the best doctors.*

Hailey: *But that money is for her transplant... Do you think I'm a bad person?*

Ethan: *Don't say silly things. Her condition can be cured with a standard surgery. Your illness needs this money more.*

Ethan: *Besides, that money will technically be our marital property. I have a right to half of it anyway. We’re just prioritizing an emergency.*

Yesterday, in the early hours of the morning.

Ethan: *Hailey, I just spoke with the lawyer. The insurance money will clear tomorrow. 1.8 million dollars total.*

Ethan: *Don't worry. I will cure you.*

Hailey: *You're the best, babe! I love you! Once you get the cash, we’ll fly away and never come back.*

Ethan: *Yes. We're never coming back.*

I shut down the laptop.

The love I thought we shared was nothing but a calculated scam from start to finish.

He married me for my family's status.

He took care of me for my dad's life insurance.

And both I and my deceased father were nothing but cash cows to him.

My liver disease was in its final stages. I desperately needed a transplant.

And Hailey, based on their chat history about experimental European treatments, had some rare disease that required overseas care.

1.8 million dollars was exactly the startup capital they needed to run away.

I pulled out my phone and turned on the voice recorder.

Then, I dialed my mother-in-law, Helen.

"Helen, it's Chloe."

"Oh, Chloe," Helen’s voice sounded distracted.

"I'm so sorry about your father."

"Helen, Ethan told me his childhood friend Kevin needs half a million dollars for his mom's heart surgery."

"He wants me to lend it to him from my dad's insurance money."

The other end of the line went silent for a second.

"Oh... yes, that's right," Helen's tone grew hurried.

"Ethan is just too kind-hearted. He hates seeing people suffer. You should help them out. It’s a good deed."

"But Helen," I slowed down my words, pronouncing every syllable clearly.

"My surgery is next week. That half a million is my life-saving money."

"I just wanted to ask, do you know this Kevin?"

"Where does his family live? Lending this much money requires some sort of legal agreement, right?"

"Why are you asking so many questions!" Helen’s voice turned sharp and impatient.

"If Ethan told you to lend it, just lend it! Why make such a big deal out of it with family?"

"Isn't your money his money anyway? Besides, you have 1.8 million. What’s wrong with letting go of half a million?"

"It's not like he's asking for the whole thing!"

"Helen," my voice remained steady, but carried an unavoidable weight.

"Do you actually know Kevin?"

"Or rather, did Ethan ever have a childhood friend by that name?"

"I... I don't remember! It was so many years ago!"

She practically shrieked through the phone, her panic obvious.

"Anyway, Ethan wouldn't lie to you! Just give him the money and stop being so difficult!"

"Alright, I understand. Thanks, Helen."

I hung up and saved the recording.

She wasn't just aware of the scam. She was actively helping her son cover it up.

I opened my notes app and documented all the evidence.

My next step was to find out Hailey's exact medical situation and their travel plans, and lock down the paper trail of the stolen $500,000.

I needed a professional.