Chapter 1

I secretly brought my parents to my house for Christmas, wanting to surprise my husband.

But as soon as Dad stepped in, he was shoved out the door by my husband's secretary, hitting the shoe cabinet and hurting his back.

"What kind of bum do you think you are, barging into Mr. Carter's house? You think you're good enough to be Mr. Carter's father-in-law, looking like that?"

I told the maid to help my dad, but the secretary stopped her, even shoving my mom.

"You really think you're the lady of the house? Mr. Carter hired these maids to serve me, not your good-for-nothing parents!"

Mom had a heart attack right then and there. I called my husband, John, telling him to rush to the hospital.

John didn't seem to care, saying scornfully, "Ashley told me you brought your parents to my house."

"And now you want me to go to the hospital because your mom is faking it? Get them out of there!"

"If she dies, she dies. It's a joyous occasion during the holidays, anyway."

The phone call ended, and the doors to the operating room opened.

The doctor took off his mask, his expression grim, and handed me a critical condition notice.

My heart sank.

A nurse came to me, softly reminding me to pay for my dad's hospitalization.

I just remembered then that my dad was also pushed by that jerk Ashley and was still in the ward.

I took out my wallet, ready to swipe my card, only to find that the balance was insufficient.

I tried other cards, but they were all frozen!

Who else could have done this but John?

Burning with rage, I called John again, it wasn't until the third time that he picked up.

"John! Are you crazy? You froze my cards!"

"Mom and Dad are both in the hospital, waiting for the money to save their lives!"

On the other end of the phone, John's voice was still cold, "Sarah, this is a lesson for you."

"We agreed you wouldn't bring your hillbilly parents here. You broke the promise."

"That's your mom! It's a matter of life and death! Can you please unfreeze the cards first?"

I almost yelled it out, the anxiety and anger erupting like a volcano.

He chuckled, "I knew you only married me for my money!"

"Now, to get money, you'll make up any excuse."

"I'm already generous enough to provide for you. Don't even think about my money!"

"You… you're unbelievable!"

"Your mom is in critical condition! The doctor issued a critical condition notice!"

"Just come and see for yourself! Maybe… maybe this is the last time…"

There was a moment of silence on the other end, and I thought I heard a hint of hesitation in John's voice.

Just when I thought he might change his mind, Ashley's voice came from the phone.

"Johnny, they look so ragged, how could they possibly be your parents?"

"Didn't you say they went to Hawaii a few days ago?"

"If you don't believe it, there's another one who's not sick. Just have him answer the phone, and you'll know if it's your dad or not."

John's voice instantly hardened: "Sarah, I'm not going to the hospital."

"Since you say they are my parents, let my dad answer the phone."

I rubbed my temples, a sense of helplessness washing over me.

Dad fainted when he saw the first critical condition notice.

He's still unconscious in bed. How am I supposed to wake him up to prove it to his own son?

But now, I seemed to have no choice.

"Wait, he just fainted. I'll go wake him up."

I went to my dad's bed. He was pale, his lips trembling slightly, making indistinct whimpering sounds.

The doctor next to him came over and explained, "He's been overstimulated and had a mild stroke. He'll be fine in a few days."

I said helplessly into the phone, "Your dad had a stroke and can't speak."

"Please unfreeze my card first so I can pay the fees."

"Your excuses are pathetic."