Chapter 5

Yes, Willem had AIDS.

His entire family had kept it a secret from me until it was discovered during a prenatal exam.

We were supposed to do a premarital health check, but Mom had rushed the wedding so she could get her hands on the money.

And so, the health check had been conveniently brushed aside by Willem's family.

I had been furious when I threw the test report in Willem's face, but he hadn't cared at all. He had clearly known about his condition all along.

In shock and anger, I had called Mom for help. But her response had been chillingly indifferent.

"So what if you have it? Whether you live a few years less or more, what difference does it make?"

When I had demanded a divorce from Willem later, he hadn't hesitated to beat me.

"Divorce?" he had spat. "I spent over a hundred grand to marry you, and just the other day your mom asked for another ten grand! If you want a divorce, have her return all the money first!"

It was only then that I had realized Mom had taken more mo