My Editor Wife Stole My Millions for Her Lover!

My editor wife managed the millions I earned from my novels. Then she transferred every cent of my royalties to a rising male author.

You gave it to?him? What about Mia!? She's been kidnapped! They could kill her!

She just shrugged. Call the police. I sent you ten bucks. And need I remind you? The publishing contract is in my name.

I stared at the ending I'd already written. Then I picked up my keyboard. And I rewrote?everyone's?fate.

Thanks to its newly signed deal with a famed director, this novel was about to expose her to massive financial liabilities.

"Liam, get it together. The press is on their way. Make sure you properly thank Blake for all his inspiration."

I frowned. "The inspiration was mine. He's a rookie who shouldn't even be at this event. Why would I thank him?"

Smack!

A sharp slap landed squarely on my face.

"You think you got here on your own? I've seen Blake's talent. If he hadn't stepped aside, you'd be nowhere."

Blake drifted past, the picture of wounded grace. "Liam, I know my work isn't like yours. If you think I don't deserve the support...I can give the money back."

I swallowed my words. Chloe, however, was incensed. "Liam, Blake put his own book on hold to promote yours! All you do is travel and slack off. And now you're bullying the one person actually trying to help you?"

I looked at Chloe's impatient face, feeling like I was seeing her for the first time.

She was my editor. She was my wife. And yet, she never noticed the days I skipped meals, the nights I traded sleep for words, all for the sake of the story.

To make my worlds real, I ventured into treacherous places, all to bring back the grand, breathtaking vistas I had pledged to my readers.

It cost me my health. Chloe never saw them.

To her, writing a novel that moved millions was a simple gift. The real work was in the promotion she managed.

My phone buzzed. A text.

A photo loaded: my sister Mia, bound and gagged. Below it, a demand:

"0-000,000 in one hour. Wire it here. Or you'll never see your sister again."

I was still trying to decide if this was some sick AI scam when a video started to play.

"Liam, please, help me! I'm so scared."

Mia's voice was raw, muffled by the blindfold. The dark cloth around her eyes was already soaked through with tears.

I called her number. Again and again. Nothing but silence.

Panic seized me. Looking at the few thousand dollars left in my bank account, I turned to Chloe, desperation in my eyes.

"Mia's been kidnapped.I need a hundred thousand. Now. Can you help me?"

Chloe rolled her eyes. "Call the police. Where would an editor get that kind of cash?"

"You transferred millions in royalties. My royalties. Don't tell me you don't have it."

Chloe was about to say something, but Blake cut in. "Chloe, he seems desperate. Even if it's not for his sister...just let him have his fun. What's the harm?"

Without another word, Chloe transferred the money.

My phone vibrated the instant it cleared. A storm of cold, hard clarity washed over me.

To her, Mia's life wasn't even worth a single word from Blake.

And the money I was begging for was my own, hard-earned cash.

I quickly pulled out my phone, ready to transfer the money to the kidnappers' account.

But after entering the password, I was told there wasn't enough balance.

Suspicious, I opened my transaction history. That's when I discovered Chloe hadn't transferred 0-000,000 at all. It was ten measly dollars.

My hand, gripping the phone, trembled slightly, but I didn't explode.

I lowered my voice again, almost begging. "Chloe, did you make a mistake? I only received ten dollars."

Chloe looked utterly annoyed. "Who knows if that's just an excuse you made up to get money? Just take the ten bucks and be grateful. Don't go blowing it all on parties behind my back."

Chloe was about to pull Blake away, but I had no other choice. If I didn't transfer the money soon, Mia's situation would become even more dangerous.

I called out to Chloe. "What do I have to do for you to give me the money? I'll do anything you say."

She looked at me with disgust. "Are you really going to make such a spectacle of yourself out here?"

She loathed my current pathetic state, afraid someone might recognize me as her husband.

Chloe couldn't be bothered to say more and turned to leave.

But Blake seemed intrigued.

"Liam, I can help you, if you promise me one thing." Thinking of Mia, whose life hung by a thread, I nodded.

Blake watched my desperation, the smile on his face completely unrestrained.

"As long as you tell the reporters that you're a dog, and then bark three times, I'll transfer the money."

I gritted my teeth, my fists clenched so tight. Despite the raging fury inside me, I couldn't bring myself to throw a punch.

"Fine, I agree. But you have to transfer $50,000 to me first."

Blake readily agreed.

Seeing the $50,000 indeed land in my account, I walked towards the reporters.

The cameras were still rolling.

The reporter spotted me and was about to begin the interview when I cut him off.

"I'm a dog."

Then, I barked three times into the camera.

"Woof, woof, woof."

Each bark was laced with humiliation.

People around me stared, even the reporter looked utterly shocked.

I ignored the whispers of the other renowned authors nearby and rushed over to Blake.

He wore a mocking smile and promptly transferred the rest of the money to me.

I furiously transferred the money to the kidnapper. Two seconds later, I heard Blake's phone ping.

"Surprise! Did you like the surprise I sent you?"

I gasped, utterly disbelieving. "Blake?"

"Liam, you're not mad, are you? I just wanted to play a prank on you."

I said, my voice heavy. "Do you think this is funny?"

"Liam, don't throw a fit here. It was just a prank, wasn't it?"

Chloe had come over at some point, instantly jumping to Blake's defense.

I gasped for air, the scene before me blurring. Finally, I felt my body give out and passed out.

When I woke up again, I was in a hospital.

I slowly sat up and saw a familiar figure slumped asleep by the bed.

"Mia?"

Mia looked up. Seeing I was awake, tears of joy streamed down her face.

"Liam, you're finally awake! You've been asleep for a whole day."

Mia's tears wouldn't stop.

My heart aching, I pulled her into a tight embrace.

"I'm so sorry, Mia. I've caused you so much trouble."

"What are you talking about? I'm just glad you're okay. I... I called Chloe, and she... she told me not to put on an act for her..."

Mia stuttered, afraid her words would damage my relationship with Chloe.

I looked at Mia, my heart full of tenderness.

"I'll handle it."

Ever since our parents passed away, Mia and I had depended on each other.

For Chloe's sake, I had neglected Mia, pouring all my efforts into Chloe.

I even gave her ownership of all my novels, accumulated over decades, fearing she wouldn't have financial security.

Now, it had become her leverage to do whatever she pleased.

I quickly checked out of the hospital and went home.

I opened my laptop and revised the final chapter, which was scheduled for a timely update.

It was late into the night when I finally clicked "submit," having completely derailed the protagonist's character and the story's logic.

This novel, because of its incredible data and ever-increasing online readership, had attracted the attention of numerous directors.

Even before it was finished, many had privately messaged me, inquiring about the film adaptation rights.

Eventually, it was signed by a nationally renowned director.

He had only one requirement: there must be no major collapse of character design or plot.

The penalty for breach of contract was double the signing fee.

It wouldn't have been an issue unless done intentionally.

I had just finished packing my bags when I heard a commotion in the living room.

"Liam is still in the hospital, aren't you going to check on him?"

I recognized Blake's voice.

Chloe scoffed. "Who knows if he's faking it? Just some little trick to make me feel guilty."

Chloe, my nominal wife, even thought my illness was an act.

Before long, suggestive sounds drifted from outside.

Suppressing my nausea, I opened the door.

The two were caught in a passionate kiss, their hands exploring each other's bodies.

Hearing the door open, they stopped their movements and instinctively turned.

Seeing it was me, Chloe hastily pushed Blake away.

Instead of fear at being caught cheating, she was enraged. "Why didn't you say you were coming back? Who are you trying to scare here?"

I looked at her coldly. "Is that your reaction to being caught cheating?"

Chloe put on a righteous face. "I was just discussing work with Blake. Your mind is dirty, so everything you think is dirty."

I couldn't be bothered to argue with her any further. I stated calmly, "Tomorrow, we're filing for divorce."

"Divorce? You want me to care about you? Just write your novels for me, and that's enough. Otherwise, when you regret it and beg me to get back together, I won't agree."

"If you don't agree to the divorce, then I'll have to pursue legal action."

I didn't bother listening to her response. I grabbed my suitcase and left that foul-smelling place, heading alone to a convenience store.

I only had the ten dollars Chloe had transferred me, barely enough for a meager meal.

Mia was at college and didn't have much money either.

Now, I didn't even have enough money for my next meal.

Thinking of myself, toiling away at my computer every day, I found it utterly pathetic.

To make her happy, I'd developed a host of health problems from sitting for long hours.

In the end, all my efforts yielded no reward.

Because I was broke, I asked the cashier if the convenience store was hiring.

"Sorry, we're fully staffed right now. You can leave your number, and we'll contact you if a position opens up."

I thanked her and was about to leave when someone suddenly called my name.

"Liam?"

I turned towards the voice.

Scarlett looked at me with surprise, seemingly amazed to see me there.

I understood her surprise.

She was an editor from another novel platform. She'd seen my talent and approached me many times, wanting me to switch platforms, even offering me benefits no other author received.

This store was near her company, making it easy to run into her. When I went home, I used to pass by this way.

To put Chloe at ease, I'd even taken a detour to avoid this area before.

Now, it seemed she only cared about the value my novels brought her.

Scarlett had overheard my conversation with the cashier. She asked, "Why are you applying for a job here? Aren't you writing novels anymore?"

"No, I'm divorcing Chloe. Those novels were published under her name, so the ownership isn't mine. Now I'm broke, so I have to find a job to get by."

Scarlett was initially shocked, then looked at me with expectation. "So, you're not with that platform anymore? If you don't mind, why don't you come to us? The previous conditions still stand."

Unlike before, I didn't coldly refuse. I was incredibly grateful to have run into Scarlett here.

I nodded. "If you'll have me, I'd be honored."

Scarlett excitedly sent messages to someone. "Absolutely! I'll talk to our boss. I'll send you an account shortly; you can start posting your work then."

Before leaving, Scarlett added me on SnapChat and, without a word, transferred 0-00,000 to me.

Afraid I would refuse, she explained, "You're broke right now, right? This is from our boss. Use it for now; I'll be your editor, and you can pay it back when your work takes off."

I didn't refuse. I thanked her and accepted the money.

I rented a small apartment and returned to my old routine, adopting a new pen name. I started typing away day and night at my computer.

Lost in my novel, I felt like I'd entered another world, completely free from fatigue.

This time, I wasn't writing for anyone else; I was writing for myself.

This sense of liberation gave me even more motivation.

Just as I was getting into my stride, a knock came from the door.

Thinking it was my food delivery, I opened the door.

"Liam, I finally found you. I've missed you so much these past few days."

She spoke stiffly, clearly hoping I wouldn't notice her words weren't sincere.

I was about to close the door, but she quickly slipped inside.

"Chloe, if you don't want me to call the cops, get out now."

She surveyed my rented apartment, her disdain evident.

"You really think you can live a good life without me? Are you regretting leaving me now that you're stuck in this dump?"

A dump?

When Chloe and I first got together, we lived in a place just like this.

We only moved to a bigger house thanks to the earnings from my novels.

Now that I was back at square one, she suddenly found it despicable.

Seeing I didn't reply, she sat down on the couch uninvited.

Her eyes landed on my computer screen, and she suddenly remembered something.

"I knew you were just too shy to ask. Hurry up and give me what you've written. Fans are already hounding me because of the several days of missed updates."

After I'd revised the ending, I'd saved two versions of the continuation on separate flash drives. I'd wanted to give Chloe a chance, but after opening the door and seeing them tangled together, I'd regretted it.

Now, she was demanding the rest of my novel as if it were her absolute right.

"Honey, it's been so long. Your anger must have subsided. As long as you give me the rest, we can go back to how things were. Wouldn't that be great, being so loving and affectionate?"

"What affection did we have? You never appreciated any of my efforts for you. In the end, you made enough money, what more could you possibly be dissatisfied with?"

"Your novel sells well, and the company earns a lot, so you naturally won't be treated unfairly. I only earned a small portion."

"That was a test for you. If you give it to me now, I'll definitely split a lot of money with you..."

I recognized her familiar empty promises and cut her off.

"Just leave. I'm not giving it to you."

Chloe was enraged by my words.

She grabbed the glass off the table and flung the water full in my face.

"Do you have any idea who Blake is, Liam? Why do you think he'd joke about your sister?"

All pretense of caution was gone from her expression.

"He's connected. Underground. Taking your sister wouldn't even be a challenge for him."

Then, her eyes blazing, she hurled the empty glass to the floor.

Bang!

The crash echoed in the room, and with it, my resolve shattered.

Mia was still at school. Even with security, if anything happened to her, I would never forgive myself.

Finally, I relented. "Fine, Take it. But if you lay a finger on my sister, I swear you will pay."

"Now you're being reasonable."

A cold smile touched my lips. I hoped she was prepared for the storm that ending would unleash.