Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Maybe it was the urgency in my voice that made John hesitate, a flicker of doubt crossing his face.
But then, Emily James, nestled comfortably in his arms, brushed her chest against him and spoke in that annoyingly sweet voice of hers. “John, do you think Sarah is upset because you sent me $200,000 for my leg? Is that why she’s making up this ridiculous story to get money?”
She continued, her tone dripping with mock concern “Sarah, if you needed money, you could’ve just asked! No need to put on a show. I’m getting embarrassed for you.”
My heart skipped a beat. What?! John sent Emily $200,000 for her leg?
guely remembered hearing something about $200,000 when I called earlier, but I was too frantic to pay much attention.
Meanwhile, my mother–in–law was still in the ER, fighting for her life, waiting for that money. We only had about $200,000 in savings, and that was supposed to save her life! How could he just give it away, ignoring his own mother’s life?
I glanced at Emily’s leg under that ridiculously short skirt of hers. She was perched on one stiletto, the heel towering at least four inches high, with all her weight leaning on John. Her other foot dangled in the air, the ankle slightly swollen. A sprain. That’s all it was.
John turned on me with disgust. “Sarah, you’re trying to scam $20,000 with that pathetic excuse just so Emily can’t get her treatment. How could you be so heartless?”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! A minor sprain that a few bandages could fix, and she needed $200,000? I was both furious and desperate. “John! Mom is in surgery! How can you give the money to someone else? Get that $200,000 back and pay for Mom’s operation!”
Emily let out a laugh, trying to block me. “Sarah, can you stop with the act already? Everyone’s watching. It’s not a good look to use guilt to scam John/ out of his money. You don’t even work, so you wouldn’t know how hard it is to make that kind of money. Just casually asking for $200,000…”
I was fuming. They still thought I was putting on a show just to get money?
Sweating with panic, I couldn’t waste any more time arguing. I needed that money to save Mom. I yanked my hand away from Emily. “I’m talking to my husband, you-”
But before I could finish, she let out a dramatic gasp and pretended to stumble backward. “Oh no!”
“Emily!” John’s face twisted in fear as he caught her, cradling her in his arms. He whispered soothing words to her as she fake cried, then turned to mg, his face dark with anger. He slapped me hard across the face. “Sarah! You knew Emily’s leg was hurt, and you still pushed her? How could you be
vicious!”
I stood there in shock, unable to believe what just happened. I never thought the man who’d once been so loving could hit me like this.
With Mom still waiting for that life–saving surgery, I was beyond angry and hurt, feeling utterly betrayed. I was breaking down, my voice trembling as I begged, “John, please! Give me the money. It’s for Mom’s life!”
John sneered at me, “Still keeping up the act, huh?”
“Even if what you’re saying is true, there’s no way I’m giving you that money.”
“Your mom’s old. Spending that much money on her is a waste. It’s better if she dies sooner.”
