Ava lowered her head, her fingers tightening around the hem of her dress. Her voice trembled. “Auntie, I had no choice back then. My mother was sick… I couldn’t go against her wishes…”
“There’s no need for this pitiful act,” my mother-in-law cut in, her tone impatient. “That little trick of yours might work on Hugo, but don’t think it’ll fool me for a second.”
Even someone as shameless as Ava couldn’t bear to stay any longer.
She covered her face, gave a deep bow, then turned and fled, tears streaking down her cheeks.
I barely had time to take in the sight before I caught something else: Hugo’s gaze. The way he watched her retreating figure, the silent worry in his eyes, the flicker of hesitation.
And then, as if something snapped, he stood abruptly.
“Mom, I’ll go check on her. I’ll be right back…”
The words were barely out of his mouth before he was already heading for the door.
But just as he reached the entrance, my mother-in-law, usually composed, uncharacteristically snapped.
“Hugo, stop right there!”
Her voice rang with authority, sharp enough to freeze him in place.
“If you dare step out of this house today, then don’t call me ‘Mom’ anymore. I don’t have a son who forgets his obligations so easily.”
The room fell into suffocating silence.
She took a step forward, her voice trembling with restrained emotion. “Think carefully. When you were bedridden, teetering between life and death, who was the one by your side? Who cared for you day and night?” Her gaze darkened. “Have you already forgotten?”
Her fingers tightened around my hand, her eyes misting with unshed tears.
“You may have forgotten, but I haven’t. Audrey is the greatest benefactor of this family. A person should never forget kindness.”
Her voice grew firmer, her words pressing down like an iron weight.
“If not for your wife, would you even have the success you enjoy today?”
“And yet, you bring your ex into this house so brazenly. Have you ever stopped to consider Audrey’s feelings? If you refuse to cherish her, I will.”
Hugo’s expression wavered. He turned to me, his gaze unreadable, a storm of emotions flickering behind his eyes.
And then, slowly, he sank back into his seat.
My mother-in-law exhaled, her anger melting into guilt as she turned to me, her voice softening.
“Sweetheart, I’m so sorry… for everything you’ve endured.”
I gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. “Mom, don’t say that. I’m fine.”