Married to a Philanthropist, Trapped in Debt

My husband was a famous philanthropist. His monthly salary of thirty-eight thousand dollarshe donated every single cent to charity.

The household expenses, my in-laws' medical bills, our son's tuitionall of it fell on my shoulders alone.

My monthly salary couldn't cover everything, so I had to discuss it with my husband:

"Could you keep a little of your salary each month for the family?"

My husband got angry: "I earn my own money from my own work. If I want to donate it, I'll donate it. Do you really think you can control that too?"

My in-laws chimed in to help him:

"Our son is a famous philanthropist. Instead of being proud of him, you're trying to scheme for his money and ruin his reputation. How can you be so selfish?"

Even my five-year-old son blamed me:

"Mommy won't let Daddy be a good person. Mommy's bad!"

I nodded and didn't argue anymore.

Then I turned around and agreed to the company's six-month closed training program.

I wanted to see how this family of philanthropists would survive without my salary.

On payday, Anthony had just gotten home from work when he posted on social media:

"Donated 0-058,000 this month. A small contribution, may kindness spread."

The post included his donation records and certificates from the charity organization.

It quickly garnered a flood of likes and comments:

"Mr. Anthony is such a good person! Not only did he donate his salary, he even donated his year-end bonus!"

"Donating his entire monthly salary without keeping a centthat's a true philanthropist. Respect."

Anderson and Polo also quickly liked and commented: "Worthy of being our good son. So proud of you!"

I sighed, turned off my phone, and opened my budget book.

This month I had to pay our son's tuition, prepare for my in-laws' medical expenses, the car loan, the mortgage, and pay back last month's credit card overdraft for household expenses...

The total came to over eighteen thousand dollars.

My salary was twelve thousand dollars. We were six thousand short.

It was like this again. Every month at this time, the family bills felt like a knife pressed against my throat, making it hard to breathe.

I took a deep breath and turned to look at Anthony on the couch.

He was still scrolling through Twitter, smiling occasionallyprobably because someone had praised him again.

After hesitating several times, I spoke up:

"Anthony, I want to discuss something with you."

He looked at his phone without even lifting his head: "Go ahead."

I paused, then said gently:

"The bills this month are eighteen thousand, but my salary is only twelve thousand. We're six thousand short."

"Could you stop donating all your money in the future and keep a little for the family?"

Anthony's finger stopped scrolling.

He looked up at me like he'd heard something completely unreasonable, and said with displeasure:

"I work hard to earn my money. If I want to donate it, I'll donate it. Do you really think you can control that?"

I explained:

"I'm not trying to stop you from donating. I just hope you can keep a little for the family."

"Dad has heart problems, Mom has diabetes, our son needs to go to school, and we still have car and mortgage payments. The expenses are too high. I can't handle it all on my own salary."

Anthony snorted coldly and said self-righteously:

"If you can't handle it, why don't you work harder?"

"People only think I'm great when I donate all my money. Why are you trying to interfere with my good deeds just because you want to be lazy?"

I looked at Anthony in disbelief. I really hadn't expected him to say something like that.

For this family, to earn more money, I often worked overtime late into the night.

All these years, I hadn't bought myself a single piece of clothing, hadn't slept a full night, and I didn't even dare take sick leave when I was ill.

I had given everything I had. Now that I truly couldn't support it anymore, I just wanted himas a husband, a father, and a sonto take on a little of his responsibility and obligation.

How could that look like me not working hard enough and wanting to be lazy in his eyes?

I was about to speak when my in-laws' bedroom door opened.

They had clearly heard my conversation with Anthony just now. As soon as Polo opened the door, she said to me earnestly:

"Juliet, this really is your fault."

"Anthony is a famous philanthropist. Instead of being proud of him, how can you scheme for his money?"

My chest felt stuffy with frustration, but I still explained gently:

"Anthony is also part of this family. You're his parents. I just want him to consider our family a little while he's donating. How does that make me a schemer?"

"And besides, the money isn't even for me."

"Dad's heart condition requires long-term medication. That imported medicine costs over six hundred dollars a box. Your insulin has run out too. If there's no money, I can't even afford your medication."

Polo waved her hand impatiently:

"Enough, enough. We know our own bodies."

"You're using us as an excuse because you're being precious and afraid of hard work, aren't you?"

Father-in-law Anderson also snorted disdainfully:

"Exactly. I've never seen anyone as selfish as you."

"The reason Anthony became a household-name philanthropist is because he donates his entire salary without keeping a cent. If you ask him to keep some for household expenses now, aren't you just ruining his persona and reputation?"

"Anthony finally became a philanthropist everyone respects. As his wife, instead of following his example, how can you hold him back over this little bit of money?"

The three of them took turns attacking me like I was some unforgivable criminal.

Looking at them, I felt like someone had struck me over the head with a club. I instantly became clear-headed.

All these years, Anthony had been busy with donations every day. As soon as he got off work, he went to various charity galas and donation events.

Meanwhile, besides frantically working, I had to squeeze out time to take Anderson and Polo to the hospital for appointments, checkups, and prescriptions.

I often used even my company lunch breaks to take them to the hospital.

Whenever that happened, Polo would hold my hand and say:

"Juliet, Anthony only has his charitable work in his heart. This family is so lucky to have you."

"Without you, Anderson and I wouldn't know what to do."

Anderson would also look grateful:

"You've sacrificed so much for this family. If Anthony ever wrongs you in the future, tell us. We won't let him get away with it."

Even Anthony often sighed:

"Juliet, marrying such a considerate and understanding woman like you is the greatest blessing of my life."

"Don't worry, I'll treat you well in the future and make up for all your hard work these years."

They said it so sincerely, and I believed them.

So all these years, I gritted my teeth and bore all the suffering and exhaustion alone.

Because I thought they genuinely understood me, appreciated my efforts, and needed my help.

I thought once Anthony's charitable work stabilized, he would turn back to look at this family, share the burden with me, and keep his promise to never let me suffer any grievance.

But today I finally realizedI was wrong. Terribly wrong.

Those grateful words and heartfelt promises were nothing but pretty lies to deceive me from beginning to end.

They never intended to contribute anything to this family.

What they needed was a fool who would work tirelessly without asking for anything in return.

As long as I didn't ask for money, didn't complain about being tired, and didn't ask for help, I was the good daughter-in-law and good wife in their eyes.

But the moment I truly couldn't hold on anymore and wanted them to share a little of the burden, they started calling me precious, selfish, and unreasonable.

In this moment, I suddenly felt like all my efforts over the years were a joke.

Just as I was feeling bitter inside, my son, who had been playing with blocks on the balcony, suddenly ran up to me and said with displeasure:

"Mommy's bad. I hate Mommy!"

I looked down at my son's angry little face. My heart felt like someone had grabbed it and squeezed hard.

This childI had traded my life for him.

When I was pregnant with him, I had severe morning sickness. Everything I ate, I threw up. I lost fifteen pounds in the first five months.

The doctor said the fetus was developing slowly. I forced myself to eat. I ate, threw up, and ate again.

At seven months, I developed gestational hypertension. My legs swelled like pillars. Every step I took left me gasping for breath.

The day I gave birth, I hemorrhaged badly and nearly died.

But now, this child I had traded my life for was saying I was bad, saying he hated me.

I took a deep breath, crouched down, and asked him:

"Henry, how did I become a bad mommy?"

Henry put his hands on his hips and pointed at me self-righteously:

"My classmates and teachers at preschool all say Daddy is a good person. You're stopping Daddy from being a good person, so you're a bad person!"

"You bad mommy, I hate you. I never want to see you again!"

After saying that, he turned and ran to Anthony, hugging him tightly, unwilling to look at me again.

Seeing this, a flash of smugness appeared in Anthony's eyes.

He straightened his back, looked at me, and said proudly:

"See? Even Henry knows you're in the wrong."

"You really should reflect on yourself. Stop talking about money all the time. You reek of greed. It's embarrassing."

Seeing the four of them united against me, I didn't argue anymore. Instead, I asked Anthony one last time:

"Are you sure you're unwilling to contribute any part of your salary to household expenses?"

Polo's insulin had run out.

Anderson's heart medication was nearly gone.

And Henry's tuition had been delayed day after day.

My account was completely empty.

This family desperately needed money to survive.

Faced with my question, disgust floated in Anthony's eyes.

"After all that's been said, you're still eyeing my money?"

"Fine, then today I'll make you give up completely."

After saying that, he opened his phone in front of the whole family and operated it for a bit.

A few seconds later, he held the phone screen up to my face.

He announced condescendingly:

"See this? I've directly linked my salary card to the charity organization's account. It can't be changed for three years."

"From now on, my salary will automatically transfer to the charity's account every month. Don't even think about going after my salary anymore."

Seeing this, Polo was the first to clap and cheer: "Anthony, you did the right thing!"

"Donations should be clean and complete, with no way back. That's a true philanthropist."

Anderson nodded repeatedly and gave a thumbs up with pride:

"Exactly. I support you."

Then he looked at me meaningfully:

"Unlike some people who've fallen into the money pit, only knowing money, money, money all day. Those kinds of people are too narrow-minded and destined to amount to nothing."

Henry also clapped and cheered: "Daddy's so great! Daddy's a good person!"

"I love Daddy the most!"

The whole family, neat and tidy, happy all around.

The eyes looking at me all seemed to see me as an incompatible villain.

Looking at those eyes full of contempt, I found it somewhat laughable.

All these years, Anthony had never done anything for this family.

Yet he became the great hero and good person in everyone's eyes.

While I, who had drained myself of everything, became the villain in everyone's eyes.

If that's the case, what was I even struggling for?

I nodded calmly:

"Donations really should be done without reservation. I hope he can keep it up forever."

Seeing that I had finally changed my position, Anthony looked relieved:

"You've finally come to your senses."

"I'm doing a great deed. As my wife, you should support me. If the family doesn't have enough money, work harder, do more overtime. If that doesn't work, you can get a part-time job."

My in-laws immediately nodded:

"Exactly. Look for the problem in yourself first. Having a good husband like Anthony is your honor."

"Stop thinking about being lazy and eyeing his money all day."

I smiled and didn't say anything more. Instead, I silently took out my phone.

Three days ago, my manager had sent me a message:

"Juliet, the company has a six-month closed training program at headquarters."

"The spots are very hard to get. After the training, you'll come back as a director with several times the salary."

"The company leadership all think you've been working extra hard these years and are very suitable for this spot. Think about it?"

At the time, I replied:

"Manager Kevin, my in-laws are in poor health and my child is still young. The family can't do without me. I probably can't go."

It wasn't that I didn't want to go. I just couldn't let go of this family.

Because this training was completely closed. For six months, I couldn't go home, couldn't use my phone, and couldn't contact anyone from the outside world.

Six months without anyone earning money at homewho would buy Anderson's medicine? Who would take Polo to her checkups? Who would pay Henry's tuition? Who would pay the mortgage and car loan?

Manager Kevin thought it was a pity and said:

"Don't refuse so quickly. This opportunity is really good. Think about it more carefully."

Looking back now, I was so foolish.

I almost gave up such a great opportunity for professional development for a group of people who didn't consider me family at all.

I took a deep breath and typed a few words:

"Manager Kevin, I've decided to participate in the training. When do we leave?"

Manager Kevin replied almost instantly:

"I was waiting for you to say that!"

"We leave tomorrow. Just submit your materials tonight."

I replied "Okay," then quickly prepared the materials and submitted them.

Manager Kevin was also very efficient and immediately booked me a flight for tomorrow morning.

The next day, I woke up before dawn.

Anthony and my in-laws were all still sleeping. I simply packed my luggage and took a cab to the airport alone.

When the plane landed, it was already afternoon.

As soon as I turned on my phone, countless missed calls and messages from Anthony flooded in:

"Juliet, where did you go?"

"My parents' medicine has run out. Hurry up and buy it. They're very uncomfortable right now."

"Also, the preschool teacher just called and said Henry's tuition has reached the final payment deadline. If we don't pay today, Henry will be forced to withdraw!"

Looking at those anxious messages on my phone, I smiled.

Now they knew to panic?

Where were they earlier?

My phone was still vibrating. Messages kept flooding in.