Chapter 1

My CEO husband, worth billions, only gave my daughter and me a $200 allowance each month.

But the day his childhood friend returned, he showered her with a multi-million dollar luxury car and a mansion without a second thought.

Later, when our daughter had a sudden heart attack and needed $100,000 for surgery to save her life, he accused me of finally showing my true colors.

He had his bodyguards throw me out of his company.

I watched helplessly as my daughter died on the operating table.

Meanwhile, he boarded an international flight to travel the world with his childhood friend.

It wasn't until after I'd buried our daughter that my husband, Julian, returned from his trip.

He found me, completely nonchalant.

"Alright, you and Lily always wanted to go to an amusement park, right? I'll take you both next week."

But he didn't know that from the moment Lily died on that cold operating table, I was done with him. Our marriage was over.

I was sorting through Lily's belongings when my husband, Julian, finally strolled back home, freshly returned from his global escapade.

"Claire, could you give me a shoulder rub? This trip absolutely exhausted me."

Hearing his voice, I, who used to adore him, said nothing. I just kept my head down, packing.

Seeing I didn't respond, Julian frowned, then a thought seemed to strike him, and he chuckled.

"No way, my beautiful Claire, you're not still jealous about me going on that trip with Cassidy, are you?"

Cassidy was his childhood friend, someone he'd grown up with.

To travel the world with her, Julian had abandoned our seriously ill daughter, leaving her to die tragically on a cold operating table.

The memory of Lily's eyes, slowly losing their warmth, felt like a spike piercing my chest. A sharp, unbearable pain.

Before I could speak, Cassidy sauntered in, a look of false sympathy on her face.

"Oh, Claire! It's all my fault. I just had to drag Julian along for a relaxing trip."

"But don't worry, we just traveled together. There's really nothing going on."

She said it so casually, yet they were wearing matching outfits and matching rings, looking like a real couple as they strolled down the street.

My own wedding ring? Julian had long since discarded it, God knows where.

When I still didn't say anything, Julian sighed, looking exasperated.

"Alright, stop being mad. I'll transfer an extra five hundred dollars for your allowance this month. Get Lily some good food."

"You know I'm good to you both, no need for thanks."

But as I stared at the transfer record on my phone, all I felt was bitter irony.

He'd spent millions traveling with Cassidy, buying her designer brands without batting an eye. A single handbag could cost tens of thousands.

And now, he was giving me five hundred dollars, acting as if it were the greatest gift.

Cassidy stood by, barely suppressing a smile, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Claire, five hundred dollars is a lot! Why don't you thank Julian?"

"I always say, kids should learn to live frugally from a young age. That way, they won't grow up to be materialistic!"

Yet, Julian wholeheartedly believed this absurd logic.

To prevent our daughter from becoming greedy, he strictly controlled my and Lily's expenses, giving us only two hundred dollars a month.

I used to argue with him constantly, fighting for a better life for Lily. But now Lily was gone. Any words felt meaningless.

Thinking this, I transferred the money right back. My voice was flat.

"No need. I don't want it."

Julian's smile instantly froze. Then, he looked frustrated.

"Claire, I've already apologized. What more do you want?"

Before I could answer, Cassidy's sneering voice cut in.

"I bet she just thinks five hundred dollars is too little, doesn't she?"

"Honestly, Claire, with how petty you are, how can you be a good role model for Lily?"

She lectured me from her high horse.

Julian, too, looked at me with profound disappointment.

"Claire, we've only been married a few years, and you've become so insatiable?

"In a few more years, will you be asking for my family's shares and assets too?"

Hearing Julian's accusations, I let out a self-deprecating laugh.

So, after all this time, that's what he thought of me.

But my silence, in his eyes, became guilt.

The next moment, Julian snapped, annoyed.

"It seems Cassidy was right. You're not a fit mother at all."

"Everything I do is to instill resilience in our daughter."

"If you keep this up, if Lily becomes as greedy as you, how will this family survive?"

I looked at his self-righteous face and found it utterly ridiculous.

His so-called resilience meant that if I asked for an extra twenty dollars for groceries, he'd lecture me for hours about coveting his family's wealth.

Even when Lily got good grades and wanted a small cupcake, he'd point a finger at her and scold:

"Such strong desires at a young age! You'll grow up to be a greedy woman!"

"Your mother will spoil you rotten one day!"

Thinking of this, I was about to tell him about Lily's condition.

"Julian, Lily, she's already…"

But before I could finish, Cassidy at the door suddenly let out a yelp.

Julian immediately rushed to her side, completely forgetting about lecturing me.

"Cassidy, what's wrong?"

Cassidy waved her hand dismissively.

"Julian, I'm fine. Maybe just too much flying, my old back pain is acting up again."

"Don't let me disrupt your family time."

Julian shook his head.

"Your health is more important. I'll take you to the hospital right now."

Just before leaving, Julian seemed to remember something. He turned back to me, sighing heavily.

"Claire, let's both cool down for a bit."

"When I get back, we can talk properly about taking Lily out next week."

But he didn't know Lily was no longer alive, and I wasn't waiting for him anymore.