Matt had always lived off his mother's connections, hiding the fragile foundation of his success. If the truth were exposed, everything he owns could disappear into thin air.

Nobody knew about his secret, not even those closest to him. Yet, how ironic that Logan, who had spent his previous life plotting for revenge, dug into his Achilles' heel--the very thread holding his life together.

"You have one month," Matt snarled. "If you don't pay me the money, not even God himself can save you?"

With a huff, Matt stormed out of the house, slamming the door on his way out. He wasn't worried Logan logan would try to run away and escape, because he knew exactly where Emma worked and where Emma's parents lived.

-------

Inside the bedroom, Emma sat frozen.

"Three hundred thousand?"

Emma hadn't dared to look at the amount on the contract before signing it. Now, overhearing the sum of Logan's debt--three hundred thousand dollars-- his husbands gambling debts hurt her like a knife, the large amount adding insult to the injury of their already hand-to-mouth existence. Her hand trembled, and she felt as if the ground beneath her had collapsed. She was both angry and desperate. With her trembling hands, she opened the bedroom door, voice trembling as she questioned Logan, "Three hundred thousand dollars? Even if we scrape by for a month, how will you repay it? What could you possibly do?"

"I'll pay it back!"

Logan answered sincerely, but in Emma's heart, she didn't believe him the slightest bit. This wasn't the first time. Over the years, Logan's debts had climbed from hundreds to thousands, then tens of thousands, and today it had reached a horrifying three hundred thousand.

Emma worked tirelessly, earning enough to keep them afloat. She only earned five to six thousand a month, even if she saved every penny, it would take years to repay the debt. Hearing the staggering amount made her stomach churn with hopelessness.

Seeing the way Emma looked, a pang of guilt hit Logan. He didn't exactly express his determination or intend to explain anything. He bent down to tidy up the chaotic floor and tried to change the subject: "You and Lily haven't eaten dinner yet, have you? Your stomach doesn't do well on an empty meal. I'll make some vegetable soup. Just give me a minute--"

Before Logan could finish, Emma gave a cold laugh: "Enough with the fake concern!"

Emma turned around and went back into the room, moved the wooden bed, took out the carefully hidden property title deed, and tossed it straight at Logan: "Isn't this what you wanted? Here! Take it!"

Logan subconsciously caught the property certificate. The papers felt heavy in his hands, heavier than he could bear.

The nightmare of his previous life began with this property title deed, because the next day, he sold the house at a low price. Instead of using it to repay his debts, he went to the gambling table again and didn't return home for three days. It was during these three days that he lost everything.

Three days later, the debt collectors visited again, causing Emma's world had completely collapse.

Looking at the woman who had always been by his side from the start, not choosing to abandon him, Logan's eyes were red-rimmed, but he did not say anything. He turned and went into the kitchen.

His past self was a complete scoundrel. He swallowed hard, suppressing the urge to beg for forgiveness. Actions, not words, would prove his sincerity.

Logan carried the deed to the table, picked it up again, and approach Emma. His steps deliberate. Emma's heart sank as she watched him. She had expected this, but seeing him actually rake the deed made her feel powerless.

"Here," Logan said, placing the papers back in her hand. "This house was a gift from your parents. It's not mine to see. The debt is my responsibility, and I'll handle it."

Emma froze, stunned by his words. Then her expression hardened.

"Is this one of your tricks?" she hissed.

"Mommy, let's trust daddy, please?"

Seeing her daughter asking earnestly, Emma patted her little head. Her eyes involuntarily reddened. Her strength derived from within her despair. But in reality, she was just a woman. The man who was supposed to be the pillar of the family was a gambler, useless and incapable to lean on. Her kind and gentle heart had been wounded too many times.

"This...will be the last time!"

She made a silent resolution. A decisive light flickered in her eyes.

Half an hour later, Logan brought out a bowl of vegetable porridge. He happened to catch that certain resolve in Emma's eyes. He knew clearly what his wife was thinking in that moment, which made his heart ache again.

"Let's eat. I know you don't like it too hot, so I let it cool for a while. It's not too hot anymore."

But the more considerate Logan was, the more she disliked it. She felt, this was nothing but an attempt to curry favor in order to sell the house to settle the debt. "I've already handed you the property deed. If you want to sell the house to pay off the debt, I won't interfere and let you take it."

Logan looked at her and walked up to the table to pick up the property ownership certificate again.

So, it was all about the house after all!

Seeing Logan coming over with the deed in his hand, Emma became panic-stricken, "I told you, I'm not selling this house."

Logan placed the property deed in her hand, "Keep this."

Emma was stunned for a moment, but she quickly realized that the house was given to her by her parents, and her name was written on the property rights. If it were to be sold, it must be authorized by her. All of this was just his act.

After realizing this, she sneered at Logan, wanting to expose him on the spot, but she least wanted is to argue in front of the child. She finally slapped the property certificate on the table, led Lily's little hand, and went into the bedroom.

As the door slammed shut behind them, Logan remained motionless, staring at the closed door.

That night, Logan leaned on the head of the bed, looking sideways at his wife's back. He was sleepless all night. Emma turned her back to Logan, curling up by the bed, thinking about the difficulties of the family, and then the husband who was addicted to gambling. Despite all her grievances, she could only swallow them silently and wipe away her tears secretly.

She didn't know when she fell asleep.

On the next morning when she woke up and went into the kitchen to prepare breakfast, a smell of scallion pancake drifted over.

Looking at the steaming three bowls of scallion pancakes on the table, Emma frowned, immediately suspicious, "Making breakfast first thing in the morning? What does he want now?"

Logan came out from the kitchen, placed the utensils, and wore a faint smile, "Breakfast is ready. I'll wake Lily and get her ready for school."

Hearing this, Emma's face tightened with anger.

"Are you going to take Lily to the casino this time? Or lock her at home while you disappear to drink?"

Thinking of how her four-year-old daughter had been treated by her husband, plus the high debt of $300,000, Emma couldn't control herself anymore and slapped Logan hard in the face, but Logan stay silent.

"The divorce paper is ready. You can keep the house, but Lily stays with me. We're done!"

She thought about it for a long time last night. The reason she hadn't brought it up before was because of Lily. She felt that the child was still small and couldn't be without a father, which would not benefit her growth. But under such circumstances, with a father like Logan, ending this marriage sooner rather than later is a good thing for the child.

Hearing this, Logan was not surprised. He had expected this.

For a woman to endure this far with a jerk like himself, he already considered himself extremely lucky. The slap didn't upset him at all. Compared to the terrible things he had done, the slap he received was nothing.

Logan grabbed the divorce paper that Emma had thrown onto the table. Without even a glance, he tore it into shreds right in front of his wife.

This took Emma by surprise. Looking at Logan, tears welled up in her eyes: "I have gone this far, what else do you want?"

Logan reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of cash, a total of one hundred and eighty-two dollars: "Give me a month's time. With these one hundred dollars, I'll pay off the three hundred thousand dollars debt. If I fail, you can take Lily and leave. Forget about the house, I won't bother you and Lily anymore."

Less than two hundred dollars to pay off three hundred thousand in a month?

Is that possible?

"A hundred dollars? You think you can fix this with that? What are you planning to do, gamble again?"

Emma was convinced; the man standing before her was beyond redemption.

She must leave him..

But..

Just as Emma's eyes widened in shock, Logan turned and walked to the kitchen. He fetched a cleaver, placed his left hand on the table, gave his wife a sideways glance, and swiftly swung the cleaver down, severing his own little finger...

His wife, Emma, was stupefied by the sight before her. Opening her mouth in shock, she stared at her husband's amputated finger, the blood gushing out, staining the tablecloth as his severed finger fell to the floor. In tears, she rushed forward, her screams through the house.

Logan looked at her, his face pale but determined. "I'll fix everything. I swear."