Chapter 2

Nolan kept asking me in disbelief, "Is it true? Is it really true?"

I showed him the lottery ticket and the winning numbers from the evening draw. The two sets of numbers matched perfectly.

"Honey, now we don't have to sell the house. We're rich."

Nolan was so overjoyed that he picked me up and spun me around a few times, then gently kissed my forehead and said, "Darling, you're truly my lucky star."

Later, Nolan said to me, "Darling, now that we have money, why don't you quit your job? You can stay home and take care of your health to prepare for pregnancy. Let's plan on having a baby."

My job had always been quite demanding, and Nolan and I were under a lot of financial pressure. We had to pay the mortgage, and we had just managed to save some money with the intention of having a child.

But all of that ended up going to fill Nolan's financial holes. Nolan also told me not to let his parents know, to avoid worrying them and potentially harming their health.

At the time, I thought about how long Nolan and I had been together, since our college days.

Even when his parents would indirectly criticize me for not having children, saying things like if I couldn't have kids, I should step aside early, I never revealed the truth about our situation.So when I heard Nolan say he wanted me to quit my job and prepare to have a baby, I agreed.

Later that night, I woke up thirsty and was about to get out of bed to get some water when I realized Nolan wasn't in bed. He was out on the balcony making a phone call.

I asked Nolan, "Honey, who are you talking to so late?"

Nolan looked startled when he saw me, then quickly hung up and said, "I'm just so excited today. Even though we were able to repay Mr. Stone's embezzled funds, I still wanted to ask my former colleagues if they've heard anything about Mr. Stone's whereabouts."

At the time I didn't suspect anything, and just told him to get some rest soon.

Looking back now, I'm terrified to think about it. That night he was probably calling that girl. What if he was already planning to kill me then to keep all the lottery money for himself?

The next day I went to submit my resignation letter. The company had actually been planning to send me on a business trip.

I never imagined that just days after claiming the prize, Nolan would suggest we take a relaxing mountain hiking trip to help with getting pregnant. I didn't suspect anything and went along with it. But he kept leading me to more and more remote areas, and in the end he pushed me off a cliff to my death right then and there.So in this life, I absolutely cannot let him know that I won the lottery. I must also stay far away from him and not give him any chance to harm me.

I immediately called my boss at the company: "Mrs.Duke, you mentioned earlier about going on a business trip to Montana. I've decided I'll come along after all."

"Great, then get ready. We leave the day after tomorrow."

"Mrs.Duke, I was thinking of driving there myself tomorrow. I have an old friend vacationing there who I haven't seen in years. I'd like to meet up with them. Would it be alright if I take tomorrow off?"