Chapter 3

The festive music from the street below played all night. By the time Arthur came home, I was still sitting on the balcony, freezing in the winter air.

He walked in humming a Christmas tune, clearly in high spirits.

When he saw me, his smile faltered for a second before he quickly put on a tired face. "Still up? It’s almost midnight. Must be nice not having to work. Unlike me, I’m years away from retirement."

He loosened his tie. "Stop worrying about Leo. It's a new generation. Get with the times. Chloe and I already helped them lease a beautiful place. It was eighteen thousand upfront. But we need to look for a permanent house soon. They can't live in a rental forever."

I massaged my numb, stiff legs and replied casually, "Whatever you say, Arthur. You’ve always been the real boss of this house anyway. Just do me a favor—stop telling the kids I'm 'controlling.' I'm just a housewife. How do you think they look at me when you say things like that?"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. I'm going to take a shower," he mumbled, rushing into the bathroom to avoid the conversation.

He was even humming in the shower.

His phone on the nightstand kept buzzing. I quietly picked it up. I had never snooped through his phone in twenty-five years. He was always the 'good guy,' and he knew I trusted him.

The group chat 【The Real Millers ❤️】 had over ninety-nine unread messages.

*Leo: Thanks for the huge cash transfer, Dad! I’ll make sure Vanessa is well taken care of. I can't wait to be an older brother to the twins next year.*

*Chloe: Thank God Dad came up with this plan. Vanessa and Dad went to the same college, you know. It’s fate.*

*Arthur: Shh, keep it down. If your mother finds out, she’ll blow her top. Vanessa is so easy to talk to. I work so hard every day, and coming home to your mother just drains me. We have nothing in common. All she talks about is grocery sales and coupons. Vanessa is different. She's gentle and understanding. Your grandmother’s heirloom emerald bracelet? I already gave it to Vanessa.*

My eyes burned. A tear fell onto the screen, and I quickly wiped it away.

The shower noise stopped. I hurriedly put the phone back exactly as it was.

My mother-in-law, Eleanor, had a gorgeous vintage diamond-and-emerald bracelet. When Arthur and I got married, he promised me his mother would pass it down to me. I had waited half my life. She never did.

But she gave it to Vanessa.

When Eleanor was sick, I was the one who bathed her and took her to the hospital. When her joints ached, I massaged her every single morning and night. I set up her hot water baths every evening. I had just driven her back to her suburban home two days ago.

I was so, so tired.

Speak of the devil. Eleanor’s caller ID popped up on my phone. I answered.

"Valerie, you need to drive over and pick me up tomorrow morning," she ordered, not even saying hello. "My back is killing me, and my feet are like ice. I can't stand staying at my sister's place anymore."

Before I could say a word, she hung up.

Arthur walked out of the bathroom, drying his hair. "Did my sister not take good care of Mom? See, Valerie, you're the only one who knows how to pamper her. Oh, by the way, make sure to visit Vanessa tomorrow. It's hard carrying twins. Brew some organic bone broth and take it to her."

I felt like I was drowning in ice water. "Why don't we just bring Eleanor here then? I don't want to drive back and forth."

"No way!" Arthur snapped. "Vanessa doesn't want to live with us. Leo has classes, but he’ll be there to keep her company. What’s wrong with your voice? Are you catching a cold? Go take some medicine immediately. Don't you dare pass it to Mom or Vanessa."

Listening to his selfish arrangements, I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms.

I was nothing but a free, live-in maid to them.

They wanted to drain my savings, and now they wanted to drain my physical life.

Well, I was done.