I Waited in the Cold, But You Never Returned

After ten years of marriage, my husband still insists that my daughter and I report every single expense.

Despite his immense wealth, he locked us in the basement for three days and nights without food—all because we didn’t report buying a pair of 1-dollar hair clips.

I once thought he was just emotionally detached.

Until the day his recently divorced first love came to stay with her son.

She accidentally ordered a hundred Prada hair ties online.

The bill, worth tens of thousands, arrived at our home. He signed and paid without hesitation.

Her son, curious, stole his Rolls-Royce, crashed it into a wall, and totaled the 1.1-million-dollar car.

My husband only worried if the boy was hurt, laughing as he said he’d buy him another one if he liked it.

When my daughter and I were finally released, we saw him casually spending 2,800 dollars on in-game skins for his first love’s son.

Seeing us, he frowned out of habit.

【Do you know what you did wrong? Remember to report your spending next time.】

【What if I don’t? Will you threaten divorce again?】 For ten years, divorce had been his sharpest weapon against us.

He paused briefly. “Yes.”

“Then let’s get a divorce.”

——

“Divorce, over something so trivial?”

“Yes.” Seeing my firm expression, Michael Harrison waved impatiently.

“I don’t have time for your games.”

“Take our daughter for a bath. She hasn’t been cleaned in three days—it’s embarrassing.” He seemed to forget he was the one who locked us up.

Watching his back as he walked away, my heart ached.

“Mommy, I’m hungry. Why does that brother get to eat so much every day?” My daughter clutched my clothes with her thin arms, licking her lips as she watched Victoria Reynolds’s son feasting in his room.

That boy’s room was filled with steak, pizza, and snacks.

He was only a year older than Lily, but twice her size.

Looking at my daughter’s pale face and hungry eyes, pain surged through me.

Michael had detained us for three days.

Those three days extinguished whatever affection I still had for him.

I called my former teacher, Ms. Harper. She was silent after hearing my situation.

I panicked, thinking there was no hope.

Then she spoke again. “I have another job for you. Bring Lily. There’s a place for you to stay. The pay isn’t much, but it’ll be enough for you both to survive.”

Tears welled up. “Thank you, Ms. Harper! I’ll definitely come!”

I had let her down before—giving up on design, refusing the job she offered from a big company, and becoming a housewife.

Now, penniless and desperate to take Lily away, she was the one giving me a chance to live again.

She’s still abroad.

She’ll return in a month. Then I can finally leave this house with Lily.

For now, I just need to find her something to eat.

We haven’t eaten for three days. Both of us are weak with hunger.

I found the housekeeper.

“Please give me 28 million dollars. I need to take Lily out to eat. She’s fainted several times from hunger already.”

The housekeeper didn’t even look at me, replying slowly,

“Have you reported the expense to the master?”

“Without his signature, I can’t pay.”

My face turned pale. I looked around frantically, but Michael wasn’t home.

When I called him, he didn’t answer.

I pleaded with the housekeeper, “Even a piece of bread would do.”

Lily, starving and frail, suddenly collapsed to the floor.

I held her tightly, begging the housekeeper.