The Empty Refrigerator

I had spent six months drifting across the ocean on a cargo ship, but I would send 20,000 dollars back home every month. So, I really only had one thing on my mind the day I finally set foot on solid ground again—my wife's pork rib soup. When I pushed open the front door, I found my seven-month-pregnant wife, Sophia Merkin, sitting on our worn-out sofa. At that moment, my six months' worth of exhaustion, frustration, and pent-up anger from the roiling life at sea surged to the surface. "I've been busting my ass out there and working more than 10 hours a day. Yet, I don't even get a hot meal at home when I'm finally home?" Sophia said nothing. Instead, she walked over to the refrigerator and yanked the door open. That was when I saw that the fridge only had half a jar of ketchup and a bag of expired pasta with bugs. Then, she asked me dully, "What do you want to eat? Take your pick." Chapter 1 Where Did My Money Go? My mind was filled with white noise as I stared hard at those wormy pasta. "Is this what you've been eating?" "What do you think?" Sophia leaned against the refrigerator door weakly, her face pale. "I'm seven months pregnant, so I can't find a job. Your mother said you're hard at work and told me to be more understanding." Then, she picked up her phone from the coffee table, swiped a few times, and slid it in front of me. "Look." Her voice was dry and hoarse. Those were WhatsApp transfer records. "Sender: Mom." "Amount: 100.00." "Date: The 1st of every month. Six months in a row." "What is this?" I whispered in disbelief. "This is the allowance your mom gives your son and me every month." Sophia tugged at the corner of her mouth. "100 dollars every month." "That's impossible!" I instinctively retorted. "I transferred 20,000 to Mom's account every month! She told me you'd been craving expensive food during your pregnancy, and that just your tonic cost nearly 10,000 a month. "She said that she was saving the rest for us as an education fund!" Sophia didn't bother arguing with me upon hearing my words. Instead, she merely held onto the armrest of the sofa, bent down, dragged a battered plastic document pouch out from under the coffee table, and emptied it at my feet. A pile of bills and notices scattered across the floor right then and there. They were property management overdue notices, unpaid water bills, electricity payment demands, and a gas shutoff warning. The most glaring of all were several crumpled prenatal examination forms from the hospital. "4D ultrasound: Unpaid." "Glucose tolerance screening: Unpaid." "Fetal heart monitoring: Unpaid." "100 dollars," Sophia emphasized those words as she stared at me. "Logan, even the cheapest bunch of greens at the market costs five bucks. Tell me, how am I supposed to eat or pay for the baby's 4D ultrasound when I only have 100 dollars on me?" It felt as though my throat had been stuffed with cotton. I couldn't make a sound. I'd been out at sea for five years, but I would always transfer all of my salary to my mother, Bethy Moore, every single month the moment they came in. I had risked my life in the storms for 1.2 million. Yet, my pregnant wife had been eating bug-infested pasta in the dead of winter and was unable to afford even her prenatal checkups. "Why didn't you tell me?" I tried to reach out for Sophia's hand, but she jerked it away. This time, there was a trace of emotion in her eyes, but it was filled with resentment. "Tell you? You were at sea, and I hadn't heard from you for six months! How was I supposed to tell you?" As she spoke, she took a deep breath as tears slipped from the corners of her eyes and fell onto the floor. "Logan, I can't take this anymore." "I'm going to find her right now!" I gritted my teeth, took off the coat I was wearing, and draped it over her shoulders. "Wait for me, Sophia. I'm getting that money back today. If I can't get it back, I don't deserve to call myself your husband." Sophia didn't nod or even say anything. She simply pulled the coat tighter around herself and stared at me numbly. I didn't dare to look her in the eye as I turned around and rushed out of the apartment. Bethy didn't live in the run-down old residential complex where we lived. Chapter 2 The Pattersons Five years ago, Bethy had complained that the neighbourhood was run-down and the neighbors were too noisy back when I had just started working at sea. She insisted that I use the cash I'd gotten for our wedding to rent her a fully furnished two-bedroom apartment in the upscale residential complex next door, saying that she had plenty of friends over there and wouldn't get bored. At that time, I'd foolishly given in and agreed to her demands. Bayville wasn't far away. So, it only took me 10 minutes to arrive there by taxi. As I sat in the car, I couldn't help but tighten my grip around my phone, my mind recalling how pale Sophia's face had been. I couldn't help but be reminded of that half jar of ketchup, and those bug-infested pasta. 'I gave her 20,000 every month, but she only gave my wife 100! Where did the other 19,000 go?' I wondered. Soon, the taxi stopped at the entrance to Bayville. I handed the driver some money and rushed inside. I could see the lights streaming through the window on the second floor and heard laughter coming from it even though I was still downstairs. I didn't take the elevator. Instead, I impatiently bounded up the stairs, taking several steps at a time. The moment I rounded the corner onto the second floor, I saw that the security door hadn't been fully shut. I was just about to knock to announce myself, but the voices coming from inside made me freeze. "Oh my, Aunt Bethy, you're so generous! This is the first time I've ever had a lobster!" It was the voice of a young woman, full of the smug satisfaction of someone who had gotten a bargain and still wanted to show off her good fortune. I recognized that voice immediately. It was Selina Patterson, Joseph Patterson's daughter. She used to live next to us in the old neighborhood. Selina was known for being lazy and gluttonous. She was also infamous for spending all day fantasizing about marrying into a wealthy family. Then, I heard my mother's familiar booming voice. There was none of the weary bitterness she usually had when she came whining to me about money. Instead, her voice was overflowing with warmth. "You should eat more if you like it! I'll buy more for you tomorrow if it isn't enough. All I want is for you and your father to be happy." "Bethy, you sure know how to treat people right." Joseph's hoarse voice rang out, dripping with sarcasm. Then, he asked, "The money from that son of yours came in this month, right?" "It did!" Bethy answered eagerly. "19 grand and not a cent missing. I've transferred it to your account this morning!" The blood in my body seemed to freeze in my veins right then and there. My wife was sitting in our dreary apartment, forced to eat bug-infested pasta, and unable to afford a prenatal checkup. Meanwhile, my mother was using the money I had risked my life to earn to treat her neighbors and had even transferred my salary to them! I kicked open the half-closed security door with a loud bang, causing the door to slam so violently into the wall that the entire floor started shaking.. The apartment was still warm from the heating, and the crystal chandelier cast a dazzling light over the dining table. A bright red lobster sat in the center. There was even a king crab and two bottles of wine right next to it. As if that weren't enough, I saw crab shells piled high in front of all three of them. Bethy dropped her utensils onto the table with a clatter, and her face instantly turned stark white. "L-Logan? I thought you were supposed to come ashore next week?" I ignored her as I strode over and snatched up the phone she had left on the table. "What are you doing?" She lunged forward to grab it back. I shoved her away and opened her transaction history. "September 15th. Transfer to Selina: 38,000. Note: Handbag." "October 1st. Transfer to Joseph: 50,000. Note: Haiwai trip." "November 2nd. Transfer to Selina: 25,000. Note: Cosmetic procedures." "AT 10 a.m., a transfer to Joseph: 19,000." I read them out one by one, my voice growing colder with every line. I read through five years worth of transactions and noted that it came to a total of 1.2 million. All my hard earned money, every single goddamned penny, had gone into the Patterson family's pockets. "How wonderful." I slammed her phone down onto the table. "Does the food bought with the money I risked my life to earn taste good?" Chapter 3 The Divorce Agreement Selina stood up and rudely pointed at my nose as if she were completely in the right. "What do you mean by your money? Aunt Bethy gave it to us willingly! It's compensation for emotional support," she spat. Then, she sneered as she continued, "Besides, that wife of yours doesn't deserve such luxury. What's wrong with Aunt Bethy giving her 100 per month? A woman like her deserves to eat nothing but bug-infested pasta!" "Logan!" Bethy screamed and grabbed my arm. "I was the one who gave them the money! I'm your mother! I gave birth to you, so I can give your money to whoever I want!" Then, she pointed at Joseph as a flicker of panic flashed through her eyes. "We would've been doomed if it hadn't been for Joseph! Show some gratitude!" "What kind of favor takes more than a million to repay?" I asked. Joseph casually raised his glass and mocked sarcastically, "Logan, your mother is a sensible woman. Things will get pretty ugly soon if you keep raising a fuss. Isn't that right, Bethy?" Bethy shuddered and nodded repeatedly. "That's right, Logan. Let's just pretend that none of this ever happened…" she muttered. I suddenly burst out laughing as I stared at the trio of greedy leeches. Then, I pulled out my phone and called the bank's customer service line. "Hello. I want to report my salary card ending in 7821 as lost. Yes, please freeze it immediately." All the color in Bethy's cheeks disappeared when she heard my words. "What are you doing?" she shrieked. "Joseph. Selina." I stared at them. "1.2 million. I have records of every single transfer she made. You have three days to give me my money back. Otherwise, I'm going to report you to the police for extortion." The wineglass in Joseph's hand jerked violently. I turned and stormed out the door, listening to Bethy's heart-wrenching wails echo behind me. I'd mistakenly assumed that I'd been risking my life for my family for the past five years. Yet, what actually happened was that I'd personally pushed my wife into a hellhole where she couldn't even afford enough food. I recalled her empty eyes as she told me about subsisting off a mere 100 dollars. I thought of the empty refrigerator and a pile of overdue notices that were sprawled across the floor. I didn't dare to imagine how desperate she must have felt. When I passed the 24-hour shop at the entrance to the neighborhood, I went inside and bought the most expensive chicken soup they had, along with several hot dishes. Then, I held the insulated bag tightly against my chest and ran all the way back to our run-down old residential complex. I was going to apologize to Sophia. I was going to tell her that I'd frozen the card and would take back every last cent of the money that I was owed. I was going to tell her that she would be in charge of our household finances from now on. I was panting heavily by the time I climbed up to the fifth floor. My hands trembled slightly as I pulled out the key and opened the door. The lights were on, and Sophia had changed into clean clothes. However, I saw her sitting next to an old suitcase that had clearly been packed beforehand. She sat quietly on the sofa, looking not unlike a soulless puppet. She turned her head mechanically when she heard the door open. Her eyes fell on the insulated bag in my arms, but there wasn't the slightest ripple of emotion in her hollow eyes. Naturally, I noticed her non-reaction and felt a lump in my throat. Then, I hurried over and took the soup out. "Sophia, I bought you some sou—" "Forget it." Sophia cut me off. Then, she gently slid two sheets of A4 paper across the coffee table. "Logan, sign them." I froze where I stood, my gaze following her fingertips to the two sheets of paper. There were only two words printed at the top in black and white. "Divorce agreement," it said. Nevertheless, my eyes slid down to the bottom-right corner. Sophia had already signed her name on it. I could tell from the crinkle that she'd pressed the pen down so hard that it had nearly torn through the paper. The insulated bag I'd been carrying slipped from my hand. It hit the floor, and the chicken soup spilled everywhere. Nonetheless, even the heat wafting off it couldn't warm this apartment, which felt as cold as an ice cellar. Chapter 4 My Wife Had Died Once Before I stared at the divorce agreement. I could feel my blood run cold as my ears filled with a deafening buzz. "Sophia, don't do anything rash." I immediately started panicking as I stepped over the spilled soup and reached for her hand. "I know you've been wronged. I've already suspended my card! From now on, every cent I earn will go to you! I'll make Bethy return every last cent of the money she ga—" "Logan," Sophia calmly interrupted me. She didn't pull away from my touch, but her hand was as cold as ice. "Do you really think I want a divorce just because I was hungry or because she took your money?" She raised her head and stared straight at me with those dead eyes. "I'm not desperate for a meal. I can support myself just fine. The reason I look like this… The reason why I'm doing this is because I've already died once before." My heart skipped a beat upon hearing her words. "What did you just say?" I blurted disbelievingly. Sophia's smile was one of despair. She slowly leaned back against the sofa and began to speak, as though she were telling someone else's story. "Logan, do you believe that people have past lives? In my dream, or you could say that in my previous life, you came home today. We got into a huge fight. You slammed the door and went back to the ship, applying to sail out again that very night." I stared at her in bewilderment. After all, I couldn't deny that my first instinct was to storm out of the apartment when I had opened the door and seen the empty kitchen. Sophia ignored my shock and continued dully, "Not long after you left, I went into premature labor and was hemorrhaging. By the time the ambulance got me to the hospital, I had almost completely lost my amniotic fluid. "The doctor rushed out with a critical-condition notice and told your mother to sign it. He told her to pay the surgical fees immediately, and that they had to perform an emergency C-section. Otherwise, both the baby and I would die." As Sophia spoke, her voice began to tremble. Her eyes turned bloodshot, burning with a hatred that had been carved deep into her bones. "Do you know what your mother said? She grabbed the doctor's coat and threw a hissy fit. She said it was normal for women to bleed during childbirth, and that the doctor was just trying to scam her! "She told the doctor that she wouldn't pay for the fees, and that I would need to give birth naturally. At that time, the doctor was so furious that he started shouting at her, saying that if she delayed any longer, the baby and I would die. "However, all your mother did was let me die. She said that I was nothing but a spoiled, dramatic bitch, and that the baby might not even be yours anyway.'" My mind went blank after hearing her words. Then, my legs gave out as I dropped to my knees in front of Sophia. "No... That's impossible..." My face turned pale as I shook my head desperately. "How dare she..." "Logan, our baby suffocated to death inside of me, and I died in agony!" she hissed. I stared up at her in horror. "When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day you left for sea," Sophia whispered. She clutched at her own hair as she continued, "I thought about aborting the baby and leaving you, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. This child is my own flesh and blood. Why should my baby be denied the chance to live just because of you and your disgusting mother?" Then, she stared at me, her eyes gaining a steely edge. "I've forced myself to endure her disgusting act for the past six months. I've been counting down the days ever since you left, waiting for you to finally see the truth and then take me far, far away from all of this." Chapter 5 I'll Make Them Pay The apartment fell deathly silent after that. The only sound that remained was Sophia's muffled sobbing. I knelt on the floor, her words replaying over and over in my mind. She had a hemorrhage. Bethy refused to pay the surgery fee. Sophia and our child died in the end. I finally understood that Bethy truly would rather hand over more than a million to outsiders without batting an eye. I finally got it in my head that she'd rather please them than give Sophia more than that pathetic hundred. In her eyes, Sophia and my unborn child were worth nothing. I slapped myself across the face a dozen times. The corner of my mouth split open, and the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. My face swelled from the blows, but I couldn't feel the pain. "I'm so fucking useless!" I slammed my forehead against the floor again and again, each impact making a heavy thud. Finally, I raised my head, my face streaked with blood and tears. "Sophia, I'm not asking you to forgive me. Just give me two months. That's all I'm asking. There are two months left until your due date. "Let me take care of you until then. Let me stay by your side and see our child safely into this world. I'll drag Bethy, Joseph, and his daughter down into the dirt. I'll make them repay every debt they owe you! If I fail, or if you still can't stand the sight of me after two months, I'll leave. "Everything I have will be yours, and I'll disappear from your life for good." Sophia closed her eyes and leaned back against the sofa. After a long stretch of silence, she finally spoke. "Fine. I'll give you two months." The divorce agreement was still spread open on the table, but she didn't mention leaving me again. Early the next morning, I was jolted awake by a violent pounding on the door. "Logan, you goddamn ungrateful son! Get your ass out here!" Bethy's shrill voice echoed down the hallway, punctuated by her exaggerated wails. "Everyone, look at this unfilial son I have! I sacrificed everything to raise him, but he's forgotten all about his own mother after he got himself a wife! He even froze my bank card! He's trying to drive his own mother to her grave!" Selina chimed in, adding fuel to the fire, "Exactly! Don't cry, Aunt Bethy. We're going to make him unfreeze that card today! If he refuses to do so, we'll take him to court for abandoning his own mother!" I sat up and glanced at the tightly closed bedroom door. Sophia was still asleep. Then, a vicious glint flashed through my eyes. I walked into the bathroom, picked up a large red plastic bucket, turned on the faucet, and filled it to the brim with cold water. Then, I hefted the bucket, walked to the entryway, and yanked open the security door. Sure enough, Bethy was sitting on the floor right outside my door, putting on a dramatic show as she wailed at the top of her lungs. Selina stood beside her with her phone raised, apparently recording the whole thing. Bethy's eyes lit up with glee when she saw me. She immediately scrambled to her feet and pointed at me. "You ungrateful bastard! How dare you show me such attitude! Get your ID and come with me to the bank right now to unfreeze that card! "If you don't, I swear I'll die right here on your doorstep!" "Be my fucking guest." I sneered. Then, I tightened my grip on the heavy bucket, lifted it high, and wasted no time hurling the ice-cold water straight at them. Bethy and Selina were drenched from head to toe. Seconds later, their earsplitting shrieks echoed through the hallway. They sounded like pigs in the throes of dying in a slaughterhouse. Selina's phone slipped from her hand and smashed against the floor, shattering the screen. She stood there completely soaked, her carefully applied makeup running down her face in streaks. "Logan! Have you lost your mind?" Chapter 6 The DNA Test Bethy looked even worse than Selina. Her soaked clothes clung heavily to her body, dripping water all over the floor. Her lips had turned purple from the cold as she stared at me in disbelief. "How dare you actually throw water on your own mother!" "So what if I did?" I casually tossed the bucket aside before looking down at the two bedraggled women before me. I looked them with death in my eyes as if I was staring at two corpses. "Bethy, consider this a warning. If you ever come here and cause trouble again, I promise you that it won't be water I throw at you next time. It'll be acid," I growled darkly. "Y-You..." she started tremulously. Perhaps the look in my eyes scared her, making her recoil in fright as she stumbled backward. "Get out!" I roared and slammed the security door in their faces. The two women fell silent right after my threat. Then, I heard their hurried footsteps retreating down the hallway less than 30 seconds. I leaned against the door and took a deep breath, forcing down the rage still churning inside my chest. I knew that venting my anger wouldn't solve anything. Throwing a basin of cold water on them wasn't enough. I wanted them to pay the price. As I went through my revenge plans, I walked into the study and turned on the old computer. Yesterday night, I had requested Bethy's detailed transaction records from the past five years using proof of our family relationship. The statements had just arrived in my inbox. So, I downloaded them and began going through every transfer she had made to Joseph. Some were 30 to 50 thousand, while others exceeded several hundred thousand. I kept scrolling back until a transaction from three years ago caught my eye. It was a single transfer of 200 grand. A chilling thought suddenly flashed through my mind in that split second. I immediately shot to my feet, grabbed my coat and car keys, and left the apartment in a hurry. This time, it took me 30 minutes before I pushed the door to Bethy's fully furnished apartment in Bayville wide open. The smell of last night's seafood feast still lingered in the air, mixed with the cloying scent of cheap perfume. I wasted no time heading straight for Bethy's bedroom. When I got to her dressing table, I found the wooden comb she used every day. There were several gray-white strands of hair were tangled between its teeth, with the follicles still attached. So, I carefully removed them and slipped them into a sealed bag. As I turned to leave, my gaze landed on the leather sofa in the living room. Then, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small listening device I had bought on the way over. I crouched down and secured it with tape in a concealed spot beneath the sofa. Once everything was in place, I drove straight to the most reputable private genetic testing center in the city. "When's the fastest you can get me the results?" I asked while placing two sealed bags containing samples from Bethy and me on the counter. "Our fastest option is the 24-hour express service. There will be an additional expedited fee of 5,000 dollars." "I'll do it." I didn't even hesitate as I swiped what little credit I had left on my card. The next 24 hours felt like an eternity. Just then, a crisp notification sounded from my phone, making my body turn stiff. My fingers trembled as I opened the email from the testing center. Sure enough, there was a PDF attached. I opened it and immediately scrolled to the final page. Then, my eyes locked onto the conclusion. "The alleged mother is excluded as the biological mother of the tested child."