Husband of Lies, Son of None

I didn't know who to turn to. Didn't even know how to start explaining the wreckage of my life.I slumped to the floor, numb, staring at nothing — until my eyes locked on that drawer.Sebastian's nightstand.The one he never let me touch. His little fortress of secrets.Well, screw that. I was done respecting his rules.I needed answers.Dragging myself up, I stumbled to the kitchen and grabbed the heaviest thing I could find — a cleaver. The kind you use to break bones.Back in the bedroom, I didn't hesitate. One swing, and the drawer's lock shattered.Inside? A box of letters and an old poetry book.They looked ancient, carefully preserved like some sacred relics.My hands shook as I reached for the stack of letters.I already knew what I'd find. Knew it would hurt.But I couldn't stop.Gritting my teeth, I yanked the letters out, one by one, and opened them.[Dear Rainee,I couldn't fight my family's wishes. They've arranged my engagement, and the wedding is next week

Standing by the side of the road with everything I'd taken from the house, I froze for a second.What now?The question hung there, empty — until thirty years of lies and betrayal came crashing back. Anger flickered in my chest, then roared to life.I wasn't going to be that pathetic, clueless woman anymore.I'd spent my whole life fading into the background — quiet, timid, forgettable.Not anymore.The people who hurt me? They were going to pay.I stepped off the curb and flagged down a cab."Hospital," I said, slamming the door behind me.First stop — I was getting checked for poisoning.***I'd spent years living with constant aches — back pain, stiff joints, sore muscles from endless overwork. Painkillers became my lifeline, the only way to get through the day.And, like always, I'd taken them before I left the house.The test results came back fast.The doctor confirmed it: I was poisoned.The good news? They caught it early. The dose wasn't high enough to do perman

Watching Jack walk away, I felt a sour taste cling to my tongue.It all made sense now — he'd been in on it from the start.Sending me to the hospital wasn't about care or concern. He needed me out of the way so he could take charge when Sebastian's body was found. The whole aftermath? Jack would handle it.And me? I'd be dead before I even realized it.Sebastian really thought he'd nailed every detail.Too bad for him — fate had other plans.Gigi's accident threw a wrench in their scheme. They couldn't reach Sebastian, so they called me. Pure luck.I owed her for that. If she hadn't asked me to swing by the house, I never would've found out what they were up to.Jack melted into the crowd, but I couldn't shake one thought: What's he gonna do when he reads that letter?***The truth hit like a wrecking ball at the doctor's office.The doctor scanned my file, his voice calm but his words gutting me: I'd had an abortion and was given drugs to keep me from getting pregnant agai

Too much had happened today.By the time I was sitting in the hospital waiting for my test results, I'd finally calmed down enough to think clearly.What now? What was next?I was in my sixties. My health was holding steady. If I took care of myself, I wasn't dying anytime soon.But still—the thought hit me hard.I'd worked myself to the bone for most of my life, yet I had nothing to my name. No real job outside the house. No retirement savings. No safety net.Except...This family's money? At the very least, half of it should be mine.And Jack's house?Yeah. That title was in my name.Back when they bought it, both Sebastian and Jack were too busy to handle the paperwork, so they dumped it on me. At the time, I didn't think much of it. It was Jack's home. It made sense to put it under his name.But my niece, Stella, stopped me.She warned me Jack might not treat Gigi right. If they ever got divorced, the house could get split with her. Stella suggested I keep it in my name

"Come on, Dad. With Helena's brains? She'll never figure it out." Jack waved his hand. "She's useless. Honestly, the way you set it up? Perfect. Letting her die like this? Cleanest solution."She hasn't even opened the drawer with the will. She won't know a thing."Hearing Jack talk about my death like he was planning a grocery list? My stomach twisted.I should've known better. There was no saving either of them.Sebastian didn't even pause. "You're right. I've overestimated that worthless woman."She's good for nothing but cleaning up after us. Even if she did see the letters, so what? I've kept a roof over her head for thirty years. She should be grateful."She's old. Almost done for. Even if she gets angry, what difference does it make? She's got no one else. Sooner or later, she'll come crawling back."Jack shifted uncomfortably. "But, Dad... something felt off today. She ignored you. Didn't even look at me. And she hasn't come back yet. You think she'll turn on us? We can'