Chapter 2

I never knew the three of them had a secret group chat. They had completely shut me out of my own family.

The front lock clicked. I hurriedly locked Arthur's phone and put it back under the throw pillow, forcing a tight smile as they walked back in. "Back so soon? I thought you went to look at apartments."

Arthur looked anxious. He let out a visible sigh of relief when he found his phone under the pillow.

He shot me a suspicious look, but I kept my face blank.

"Yeah, forgot my phone," Arthur said, brushing it off. "Anyway, transfer twenty thousand dollars to my account. We need to pay the deposit and first month's rent."

"Exactly, Mom," Chloe chimed in, crossing her arms. "You’ve always been so controlling with the family finances. Leo’s girlfriend needs prenatal vitamins, and they’ll need a proper house soon. Don't be stingy. Don't embarrass us in front of Vanessa."

Leo glared at me, silently backing up his sister.

Vanessa, leaning against the doorway, gave Arthur a subtle, lingering look before turning to me with a sickly sweet voice. "Thank you in advance, Valerie. Once I give birth to your twin grandsons, I’ll make sure to be a good daughter-in-law. I don't ask for much—just a luxury penthouse downtown in my name, a designer Cartier jewelry set, and a five-hundred-thousand-dollar wedding fund."

"What?!" I slammed my hand on the table, my anger boiling over.

Arthur quickly grabbed my arm, pulling me back. "Valerie, don't scare her! She’s pregnant! Sit down and talk like an adult. Honestly, I don't think her request is unreasonable. Our son has to settle down eventually anyway. It’s better to get it all done at once. Just give them the money."

Chloe sighed, looking at me with pure disappointment. "Mom, don't be so selfish. Dad worked his whole life and handed every penny to you. This is exactly what that money is for."

Leo stepped in front of Vanessa like a bodyguard, staring at me with pure hatred. "If Vanessa wants it, you give it to her. She’s carrying the future of this family!"

I laughed out of sheer anger. "Fine. Since you all agree, I won't play the villain. But I have one condition. They get legally married first. The moment they sign the marriage certificate, I’ll release the funds."

Leo’s face went pale. His eyes darted around, avoiding my gaze.

Vanessa immediately shot a panicked look at Arthur.

Chloe cleared her throat quickly. "Mom, Vanessa is pregnant. Planning a wedding right now is too stressful. Let's give them the money and the apartment first, and they can get married after the babies are born. Dad, right?"

"Right, right," Arthur agreed instantly. "Let's do what Chloe suggested. Leo, don't worry. Honestly, I think it’s best if you graduate before legally signing anything anyway."

I watched them cold-heartedly as they made all the decisions in three sentences, completely disregarding my existence.

"Well, Valerie, we’re going to head out now. Leo is taking me out for Christmas dinner," Vanessa said, giving me a smug, theatrical curtsy.

Arthur instinctively reached out. "Careful! Don't bend down like that, watch the babies!"

Leo shot him a quick, warning glare. "Be careful, babe. Mom has plenty of money. Let's go rent a nice place first."

The four of them walked out, laughing and talking.

The house fell deathly quiet. I stood on the balcony, watching the bright Christmas lights of the city. A stabbing pain pierced my chest.

To the outside world, Arthur was a sweet, honest man. But behind closed doors, he constantly painted me as a controlling, tyrannical wife to our children. Now that they were grown, they were exactly like him.

I went to check my bank accounts. Arthur had deposited his paycheck into our joint account every month for twenty-five years, and I had stayed home, raising our children and managing the household. I thought we were a team.

But now, Chloe was working, Leo was in college, and I was still treated like an unpaid maid.

I pulled out my phone and tried to check my kids’ social media. Still blocked.

"Fine," I whispered to the empty room. "If you all want to play a game, I’ll play along."