[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-26032200D266-470":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},470,3,"Chapter 3: Selling My Dignity For Her Life","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I reached the hospital with legs like lead, collapsing into the chair by the bedside to clutch my mother’s hand.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her voice, muffled by the oxygen mask, sounded thin and distant, as if from another world.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Kya... don't you dare beg him for me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When Mom first fell ill, Diego had moved heaven and earth to get her the best private suite. He’d even cleared his calendar to ensure she was taken care of.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I remember hiding in our room for days, too paralyzed to eat or drink. Back then, he’d set his work aside just to coax me into opening the door.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"With me here, Mom will be fine,\" he’d promised.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But those days were long gone.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As he became obsessed with dismantling me, his flowery promises had soured into empty threats. When I checked the hospital’s patient portal earlier, my worst fears were confirmed: my mother’s medical coverage had been cut off.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I turned to see Diego and Aliza walking toward me. My eyes stung, and I stood, bracing myself to face them.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Did you or Aliza cut my mother’s medical funding?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Diego’s expression darkened instantly.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"So it really was you. Buying bots to smear Aliza? Calling her a gold-digger?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I stared at him, bewildered. Aliza stepped forward, her lower lip trembling with practiced fragility.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Mrs. Cox, the company is just cutting costs. I wasn't trying to target you. Please... just stop letting those trolls harass me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The more she shook, the more Diego’s gaze sharpened with disappointment.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Kya Medina, I’ve tolerated your outbursts, but Aliza is an essential part of this firm. How could you be so petty? Apologize to her right now!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I pulled myself upright, gripping the wall to stop my knees from buckling. My voice was a hollow rasp.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"How about a divorce? I’ll sign the papers today. Whatever it takes.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">My words stopped him in his tracks. He opened his mouth, but silence hung between us. Aliza began to sob, a high, thin sound.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Mrs. Cox, please don't divorce him because of me. Diego is already drowning in the merger—I hate seeing him like this. Don't add to his stress. I’m begging you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The nearby bystanders shot daggers at me, eyes full of judgment. To them, I was the villain. Diego rushed to console her, shooting me a look of pure disgust.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"A divorce is just a pathetic bluff, isn't it? You just want a bigger payday. What scheme are you cooking up to ruin Aliza this time? If you want your money back, you’ll grovel for her forgiveness right here!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I froze. Diego had once sworn to provide for me for a lifetime, promised I’d never have to worry about a thing.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But that man was dead.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I bit my lip until I tasted copper, my fists curling at my sides. Aliza reached out, her grip tight and deceptively supportive.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Mrs. Cox, you've lived in the lap of luxury; you have no idea how hard it is to earn a dollar. Since you’ve caused us so much grief, you should show some sincerity. Record a public apology for the entire firm. Once you do, I’ll transfer the funds back to your mother’s account.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Silence stretched out.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Diego’s expression was unreadable. \"She's right. You need to taste the humiliation you’ve been dishing out. You like ruining reputations, don't you? Give everyone exactly what they want to see.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I looked at him in total shock.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Diego! I am your wife!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Just then, my phone buzzed. A notification for my mother’s critical condition hit me like a physical blow. My mind went blank.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Diego barely glanced at the screen, his voice cold as he pushed his advantage. \"Well? Your mother needs that treatment, doesn't she? You’d better make your choice, and you’d better make it fast.\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272929083]