Chapter 9 " Without me , without my family , maybe you would've succeeded - but not as easily as you think . All the so - called effort , all the success you're so proud of , was built on my shoulders , on my family's shoulders , with your hand stretched out to pluck the fruit . " And now that you've taken everything you could from us , you're ready to burn the bridge behind you ? " My voice wasn't loud , but each word was sharp , like a red - hot blade , peeling away the years of lies and revealing the dirty , rotten truth beneath . I laid it bare for everyone to see . " Now , you have the nerve to criticize me for not understanding your hardships ? " I whispered the last part , almost right in his ear . He shuddered and collapsed . And my mother - in - law , who had been throwing herself around just moments ago , now seemed drained , like someone had sucked all the strength from her bones . She sat there , vacant and hollow , eyes wide and unseeing . Their last shred of dignity had been torn away by my own hands . They had no words left to defend themselves . I didn't want to say another word . I walked to the bedroom , pulling out the luxury items and jewelry I had long since packed . When Albert and my mother - in - law saw me preparing to leave , they rushed toward me . " Joyce , you still have the kids ! Even if you're angry with Albert , Sam's only five . He needs his mother ! " Hearing Sam's name stabbed at my heart . Thinking of him these past few days , the way he'd been with Leah , it sickened me . I shook my mother - in - law's hand off . " Let the courts handle the child custody . " Without another word , I turned and walked out . In the courtroom , the air was thick with tension . The evidence I presented stood like an unshakable mountain above Albert and his parents . Every penny that had been quietly transferred . Every selfie Leah had taken in my guest bedroom . Every frame of video showing my mother - in - law and her foul conversations with Leah . All of it played in a loop on the massive screen . It was undeniable . Albert's lawyer looked defeated , ready to throw in the towel . The judge turned to Albert , his voice calm and emotionless . " Defendant , do you have anything to add ? " Everyone expected him to apologize . To beg for mercy . But Albert slowly lifted his head and stared at me , his eyes welled with tears . A trace of something like tragic dignity and guilt flickered on his face . I was wrong , " he whispered hoarsely . " The biggest mistake I made … was wanting to give our family a better future . " His voice was small but clear . " Judge , do you know how hard it is for someone from a rural background to establish themselves in the city ? I climbed tooth and nail . Everything I did , I did for this family , for my wife and children ! " My mother - in - law instantly understood what was happening . She collapsed to the floor , throwing herself into a dramatic fit . " My son … my son has been so unfortunate ! He married a city girl who only cares about her job . She gave him nothing but pressure ! Now , because of one small mistake , she wants to ruin him ! " " We've suffered enough ! What did we do to deserve a daughter - in - law like this ?! " I watched them , a pathetic tableau of greed and desperation , trying to spin a new story in a desperate attempt to save their skins . I remained silent , handing a file to my lawyer . The lawyer stood and presented it to the judge . " Your Honor , this is a proof of employment that the defendant , Albert , received after my client's father used his connections to arrange his first job post - graduation . This is the contract for the house they live in , which was fully paid for by my client's family . And here is a repayment record for the $ 30000 debt my client paid off when the defendant's business failed . " " As for the defendant's ' small mistake , ' Your Honor , please note that the defendant began transferring assets as far back as three years ago . This was not a momentary lapse in judgment but a calculated , years - long scheme . " With every statement , Albert's face drained of color . By the time it was over , he looked like a man who had been drained of all life , like the very bones had been pulled from his body . The gavel came down , sharp and final . " Defendant Albert , you are found guilty of infidelity , maliciously transferring marital assets , and your actions are deemed egregious … " Albert sat frozen , hearing the judgment , his body slumping in defeat . In that moment , all his years of calculated schemes had crumbled into nothing .