My Wife Wanted Me to Fund Her Lover’s Cancer Treatment

My wife's first love suddenly became a monk.

To follow him, my wife donated her multi-million fortune to build him a temple and became a nun herself.

I was left with our sick daughter, begging for medical help on the streets, nearly freezing to death.

Later, I worked at construction sites, took dangerous underwater salvage jobsrisking my life to support myself and my daughter.

Through sheer effort, I eventually started my own company.

On the day I secured another major construction project, my wife returned.

The reason? Her first love had cancer. She wanted me to pay for his treatment.

On the day I landed the city's biggest construction contract, I got a text from my sister-in-law.

[Jason, my sister's back. Get readywe're almost at your office.]

It took me a moment to process what she meant.

Serena Liu. My wife. The one who'd abandoned us to follow her first love into monastic life.

When I didn't reply, another message popped up.

[Oh, come on, Jason! Don't be petty! She promised me she won't leave you again this time. And after all these years, she misses Wendy too. How can you deny your daughter her mother?]

I stared at the screen, silent.

As she mentioned my daughter, I quickly called Wendy.

Wendy was only five when Serena left. When she realized she had no mother, she cried her little heart out.

She often asked me:

"Daddy, why don't I have a mommy?"

Serena's sudden return wasn't something I wanted Wendy to know.

She'd finally accepted life without a mother. I wouldn't let her get hurt again.

Wendy answered quickly, her voice cheerful. "Daddy! When are you picking me up?"

I forced a smile. "Sweetie, something came up at work. Can Ms. Morgan pick you up? I transferred her some money. Go shopping, buy whatever you like."

My daughter teased, "Since when are you so generous, Dad?"

I chuckled. "No backtalk. Come to the office after shopping, okay?"

"Okay! Thanks, Daddy!"

Hanging up, I hurried downstairs. Two women stood outside my company building.

Even after all these years, I recognized Serena instantly.

She hadn't changed much, though her once smooth, fair skin now had faint lines, slightly tanned. Silver threads streaked her hair.

Hands on her hips, she snapped at her sister, "Did you even tell Jason I'm here? I've been waiting forever! He still hasn't come down!"

Her sister soothed her. "Oh, honey, after vanishing for so long, it's normal if he wants to sulk a bit. Be patient. Just wait."

Serena scoffed. "Honestly, I don't know what I ever saw in a man like that!"

I let out a cold laugh.

She was right.

Her agreeing to be with me back then had surprised even me.

Serena came from a wealthy family. I was just a poor orphan from the countryside.

When her first love went abroad, she seemed to stop believing in love and just drifted into a relationship with me.

After marriage, her familyand she herselflooked down on me.

Later, hearing her first lvoe had become a monk, Serena made a decision that very night.

She sold everythingher company, her assets, worth millionsdonated it all to build a temple for Liam Feng, and joined him as a nun.

Everyone was stunned.

They sang praises of their epic love story.

Meanwhile, our daughter had leukemia and desperately needed money for treatment.

With no way out, I took her everywhere seeking help.

Penniless, we slept on the streets. I worked construction, took the deadliest underwater salvage jobs.

One dive could earn me a hundred thousand.

I lost count of how many times I went down, several times almost not coming back.

Years later, I finally saved enough for Wendy's treatment.

Just as our lives settled into comfort and stability, Serena came back.

As I stood frozen, her sister spotted me.

"Jason! There you are!" she exclaimed brightly.

Serena turned, glaring at me.

"What took you so long? Hurry up, tell the security to let me in. My legs are sore from standing."

I gave a cold smile. "Why are you back?"

Serena's face hardened. "Your company is my company. Why shouldn't I be here?"

"Yours?" I sneered. "Didn't you sell your companyand your house?"

Serena froze, then flared up. "You're still hung up on that? For heaven's sake, can't a man be a little more forgiving?"

"I don't have your generosity, Miss Serena, spending everything to play nun for some man."

Hearing my mockery, Serena raised her hand to slap mejust like old times.

Back then, out of love, I endured it.

But now?

Why would I tolerate her now?

Seeing us about to explode, her sister intervened.

"Hey! What's going on? Such a happy day, and you're fighting?"

"Jason, I know you're upset. It's normal to resent her after she left for so long. But I've already given her an earful. She promised she won't leave you again."

"Couples fight and make up. No need for such a scene over something small."

"Something small?"

"Nearly killing me and our daughter back thenthat's 'something small'?"

Serena instantly lashed out. "What do you mean 'nearly killed'? It's a man's job to earn money and raise her! What did you expect from me?"

"Besides, that money was mine! Even if I threw it away, it's none of your business!"

Hearing this, I laughed.

"Fine. Since you see it that way, leave now. Please don't show your face to me or Wendy again. We don't want to see you."

Seeing my resolve, her sister looked torn.

"Jason, don't be rash! Even if you don't want to see Serena, what about Wendy? Have you asked her? She must miss her mom!"

At the mention of Wendy, Serena regained her confidence.

"Exactly! I'm Wendy's mother! I have the right to see my own daughter! How dare you throw me out?"

Seeing Serena invoke Wendy's name without a shred of guilt, I snapped.

I called to security. "I don't know these women. Get them out immediately."

Serena shrieked, lunging at me.

Just then, I heard Wendy's voice. "Dad? What's going on?"

My heart lurched. Even though she had become a teenager, I could still see the envy in Wendy's eyes when she saw others with their mothers.

I was terrified her healed heart might get hurt again.

I tried to shield her from Serena, but Wendy had already stepped forward.

Serena rushed to her. "Wendy! It's Mommy! Mommy's home! Do you miss me?"

I watched Wendy nervously. If she showed any distress, Serena and her sister would be gone instantly.

Instead, Wendy smiled. "Mom. You're back."

Serena beamed, triumphant.

"Yes! Your dad wouldn't even let me in! Wendy, you've grown up. Definitely take after me more, not your petty father."

She tried to take Wendy's hand, playing the doting mother.

Wendy calmly withdrew it.

Seeing Serena's face fall, Wendy smiled again. "Well then, come on in."

Serena's smugness returned.

I took Wendy's hand, worried. "Sweetheart, if you don't want to see her, Dad will make her leave right now."

Wendy just smiled. "Dad, what are you talking about? She's my birth mother, after all."

Seeing her calm, my worry eased a little.

Serena and her sister marched into my company like they owned the place.

They looked around, critiquing immediately.

"Jason, I never thought a country boy could start a company. Not bad. But I hate the decor. Get someone to change it."

Employees stared, whispering among themselves, as the two women pointed around the office.

Serena sat in my office like the lady of the manor.

Soon, she snapped at my assistant, Morgan.

"What kind of assistant are you? I've been here ages, and you haven't even brought tea?"

She sneered at me.

"Jason, you clearly don't know how to run a company. Look at your staff. But don't worry. Since I'm back, I'll whip them into shape."

My face darkened.

If not for Wendy, I'd have thrown her out long ago.

Who did she think she was?

Morgan hesitated, looking at me.

Wendy spoke up. "Ms. Morgan, could you please make some tea?"

Morgan nodded and left.

Serena continued inspecting my office.

"We'll redo this to my taste too. Oh, and Yuri's unemployed. Find her an easy position tomorrow. She's my sistersalary can't be low. Ten thousand a month, plus full benefits."

Her sister beamed, jumping in before I could speak. "Thank you, brother-in-law!"

I gave a cold laugh and headed to the restroom.

On a whim, I checked the office security feed.

After I left, her sister said to Serena, "See? You know Jason. Even if he resents you, for Wendy's sake, he won't dare cross you."

She ran her hands over the furnishings.

"After Mom and Dad passed, the family fell apart. It's been ages since I touched anything this nice. You need to seize this chance."

Serena smirked. "Of course. I know Jason best. All bark, no bite. I just need to play nice, and he'll cave. All this will be mine soon."

Her greed was naked.

I scoffed, baffled she thought I'd forgive her like before. How could anyone be so shameless?

As they talked, Wendy entered.

Serena pulled her into small talk. "Wendy, you're in middle school now, right?"

Wendy smiled. "Mom, I'm in high school."

Serena flushed, embarrassed she didn't know her own daughter's grade. She quickly changed the subject.

"I'm just so excited that I forgot! Thank goodness you take after me. If you were like your dad, you'd be working some dead-end job by now."

Serena still dripped with contempt for me.

She seemed to forget the vast gulf between us now.

Wendy didn't argue. Instead, she said, "Mom, Dad reserved a table at the five-star hotel with some important clients. We should head out."

Serena's eyes lit up. "Fine. Your aunt and I are hungry anyway. We'll join you."

I returned from the restroom. Serena ordered, "Go get the car."

Before I could speak, Wendy interjected apologetically.

"Mom, sorry. Dad has to pick up the other clients. The car's full. Maybe take a taxi?"

Serena wasn't happy but agreed reluctantly.

On the road, I asked Wendy, puzzled. "Dad didn't need to pick anyone up. And... don't you hate her?"

Wendy just said, "Dad, she's still my mom."

I drove silently to the hotel.

Serena arrived first.

After finding our private dining room, she and her sister sat at the head of the table.

I was annoyed.

Though this was just a casual dinner with business associates, her behavior was appalling.

Wendy stayed quiet, poised beyond her years. She signaled the waiter to serve.

Serena eyed the lavish spreadmeats, seafoodeagerly. I guessed she'd been vegetarian for too long.

But when she saw everyone had place settings, she snapped at the waiter:

"Waiter! Is this five-star service? How am I supposed to eat without chopsticks?"

Wendy smiled sweetly. "Mom, I didn't ask them to set places for you and Auntie."

Serena's face darkened instantly. "What do you mean?!"

Wendy kept her innocent smile. "Mom, from the start, I never said we were having dinner together. You invited yourselves."

I stared at Wendy, stunned. She'd planned this revenge all along.

I thought she craved a mother's love, hence the warm welcome.

Serena was livid. She shot up, pointing at Wendy.

"You! You played me?! You ungrateful brat! Jason, look what you've done to our daughter!"

Her sister chimed in. "Exactly! We're family! After so long apart, just sharing a meal, and you humiliate us like this?"

I couldn't care less about appearances now.

Protecting Wendy, I stepped in front of her.

"Serena, I've seen shameless people, but never two as shameless as you two! "

" Back then, you sold your house and company, donated millions to that temple, while Wendy was sick, needing money desperately. In winter, we were thrown out, nearly froze to death. And you..."

I turned to her sister. "I begged you to lend money for Wendy's treatment, or just give us shelter. "

" You chased us off with a broom, called us beggars, said you didn't know us. Remember, dear sister-in-law?"

Wendy looked shocked upon hearing this. She was too young to remember much.

I'd never wanted to burden her with those painful memories, so I'd never told her. Now, knowing the truth, hatred flickered in her eyes for them.

My business friends exchanged glances. Hearing my story, their looks toward Serena were pure disdain.

Serena, stung by their scorn, screamed at me: "Jason! What's your problem? Humiliating me in front of everyone? "

" Look at yourself! If I hadn't taken pity on you, you'd still be that poor country bumpkin!"

"Without me, would you even touch this upper-class world?"

"Besides, I just donated some money to a temple! I was accumulating good karma! Don't push your luck! Take the out I'm giving you!"

Her contempt spilled out.

I didn't bother arguing. Serena wasn't worth my breath.

But Wendy couldn't hold back. She stepped forward, shouting, "Shut up!"

"You think having money back then gives you the right to look down on people? DDad earned everything he has today through hard work!"

"But you? You abandoned your husband and child for your first love! I'm ashamed of you!"

Wendy lived through the hardest times with me. As a little girl, she'd clung to me, begging me not to dive again.

She'd cried, holding me, saying she'd lost her mommy, couldn't lose her daddy too. That's why I fought so hard, started this companyto give her a stable life.

I wouldn't let anyone ruin it.

Coldly, I called hotel security to get Serena and her sister out.

Serena was already pale from Wendy's words. As security escorted her out, she was still cursing, all manners gone.

But her sister whispered something, and Serena quieted down, reluctantly leaving.

Somehow, I felt Serena's return wasn't that simple.

Sure enough, two days later, Serena messaged me.

She wanted to meet. Coincidentally, I was finishing a deal with my assistant, so I went. I wanted to see what trick she'd pull.

At the restaurant Serena chose, she frowned seeing my assistant. "Jason, shouldn't we discuss private matters alone?"

I sat opposite Serena, ignoring her.

Serena swallowed her irritation, then looked at me with deep affection. "Jason, I thought about it. I was wrong before. Call it youthful ignorance. I'm sorry."

"Forgive me, okay? Wendy needs her mother. We can be a happy family again."

Her eyes pleaded, seeming genuinely remorseful.

I stirred my coffee expressionlessly, sneering inwardly. Serena was a good actress.

Seeing my silence, Serena grew impatient. "Jason! Say something! What do you want?"

"Finished?"

Serena blinked. "Yes."

I nodded. "Good. I'm heading home. Wendy's waiting."

I stood to leave.

Serena finally broke. She cried, "Jason, must you be so cruel? Didn't you say you loved me most? It was just a small mistake! Why won't you forgive me?"

A small mistake?

I didn't think so.

Back then, she chose me because Liam Feng went abroad. I was happy yet sad. I loved her. No man wants the woman he loves pining for another. I thought time would win her heart.

After marriage, we had Wendy. Her family disliked Wendy for not being a boy. Serena paid her little attention.

Later, Liam became a monk. Serena ignored Wendy's need for a transplant, donated everything to the temple. People praised their love story. No one saw me holding my sick child, nearly freezing to death.

Now, how dare she say the child needs a mother?

"Serena, let's part amicably. I sent the divorce papers. Sign them. If not, I'll sue. You vanished for ten years. There's no marriage left."

Seeing my resolve, Serena panicked. Her eyes darted. Suddenly, she said, "Jason, truth is... I have cancer. I need two million. Please, for the sake of our marriage, give me the money."

Cancer?

I eyed her suspiciously.

Serena avoided my gaze.

I sneered. "Serena, it's not you who's sick. It's Liam Feng, isn't it?"

Years of marriageI knew when she lied.

She came back for her white moonlight after all.

Pathetic.

Exposed, Serena dropped the act. "Yes! It's Liam! Listen! We're still married! Your money is mine! Two million is nothing! Give it to me, I'll sign and leave! Never bother you again!"

Ha. True love indeed.

"Serena, am I stupid? Why should I give you money?"

"Get some self-respect."

Serena hadn't expected such harshness. Before, I never lashed out. She froze. As I turned to leave, she suddenly wailed loudly:

"Jason! You heartless man! I gave you my youth! Now you're rich, you dump me! We have a daughter!"

"Everyone, look! This man got rich and turned bad! Abandoned his loyal wife! Flaunting his mistress right beside him!"

"I'm sick and broke! He won't give a penny! Spends it all on his floozy!"

"After carrying his child for ten months, birthing his daughter! This is how he treats me! Heaven isn't fair!"

My assistant, Liu, was young and pretty. The diners, hearing Serena, assumed she was right. They pointed at me and Liu:

"See? Men."

"Rich and rotten. Abandoning his wife? Hope lightning strikes him!"

"Disgusting! How do scum like this make money?"

"His wife suffered bearing his child, and he ignores her when she's sick? How can someone be so vile?"

Everyone cursed me.

Serena shot me a triumphant look.

I gave her a cold smile. Liu took out her phone.

Serena's earlier words echoed through the restaurant.

Her face paled.

The crowd who'd cursed me, now understanding, turned their anger on Serena.

"Jason! You!" Serena stammered, furious.

I smiled. "Did you think I'd come unprepared?"

I'd guessed Serena was up to no good, hence bringing Liu. Now, I was profoundly grateful. Otherwise, I'd never clear my name.

Serena fled under the crowd's scorn.

After thanking Liu, I drove home.

Wendy, learning I'd met Serena, looked worried.

I ruffled her hair. "Silly girl, nothing to worry about. Dad's Superman."

Wendy still fretted. "Dad, I don't think Mom will give up that easily."

My heart sank.

I knew Serena. She never quit until she got her way. Especially now, for her precious white moonlight.

I sighed, suddenly wondering why I ever loved someone like Serena.

But looking at Wendy, I vowed silently.

No matter what, I wouldn't let Serena hurt my daughter.