Chapter 3

I looked at Xeno. He was spoiled beyond all limits. I lowered my eyes and gave in. “All right. I’ll find a way.”

“Thank you, honey,” Wendy said as she wrapped her arms around me. Her tone sounded “sincere.”

“Xeno and I won’t forget everything you’ve done for this family.”

Her false sweetness made my stomach turn.

She suddenly changed her tone.

“Oh, right. Since this is a school district apartment, the property deed should be in Xeno’s name only. It will all eventually belong to him.”

I did not answer right away. My fingers curled slightly at my side.

Matthew quickly chimed in with a light and upbeat tone, “That’s a great idea, Wendy. Putting it in Xeno’s name makes the most sense. He can even use it as his wedding home in the future.”

I sneered inside, but my expression remained compliant.

“Sure. Let’s do as you say and put it in Xeno’s name.”

Wendy and Matthew exchanged glances. The same flash of delight appeared in both their eyes.

They probably believed that once Xeno’s name was on the deed, the house would fully belong to them.

They did not know that I had already prepared a big surprise for them.

…

After that, they only grew more brazen.

Wendy often asked me for large amounts of cash under the guise of “furnishing loans” or “making connections.” My savings dwindled at a rate that was impossible to ignore.

Matthew started coming over more frequently. He walked into my home as if it belonged to him.

He criticized my housework, complained that the groceries I bought were not fresh, and said the meals I cooked did not suit Xeno’s taste.

He even “accidentally” touched the luxury watches on my desk and wore the new clothes in my closet that still had the tags on.

“Jason, this color is too dull for you. It doesn’t suit you. I’m slimmer, so it fits me better. No need to waste it.”

He stood in front of the mirror, dressed in my expensive suit, and combed his hair.

I nodded. “If you like it, take it.”

Xeno grew increasingly impatient with me.

Everything related to his daily life needed Matthew’s approval.

He constantly said things like, “Mr. Carter said” or “Mr. Carter bought this for me.”

The limited-edition LEGO set I prepared for him was tossed into a corner. “Mr. Carter promised to take me overseas. That is much better than this stupid toy.”

Wendy no longer bothered to hide anything. She openly flirted with Matthew right in front of me.

One time, I came home early and caught Matthew walking out of the master bathroom in my pajamas.

“Jason, you’re back already? I used the bathroom. The water heater at my place is broken,” he shamelessly said. His hair was still wet.

Wendy stepped out of the study and frowned. “Jason, why didn’t you call before coming home? You scared us.”

I stood there and slowly curled up my lips. “Sorry. I’ll keep that in mind next time.”

The apartment’s paperwork went through quickly. Before signing the contract, we needed to confirm the name on the property deed.

I picked up the pen and wrote Xeno’s name in the name field.

The pen scraped across the paper. At that moment, the last trace of warmth in my heart disappeared.

“All set.” I handed the contract back.

Wendy checked it carefully. When she confirmed there were no issues, a wide smile spread across her face.

I looked at her calmly. In my heart, I swore I would make them pay for betraying me.

…

All the paperwork for the apartment was finally complete.

Wendy held the property deed with shaking hands. The joy on her face was impossible to hide.

She waved her hand and said, “This is such a big occasion! We have to celebrate. This weekend, we’ll hold a housewarming party at the new place and invite all our friends and family!”

She exchanged a look with Matthew, and a sharp glint appeared in her eyes.

I knew it. She was not going to hold back any longer.

That weekend, the spacious apartment in the top school district was filled with guests.

Matthew wore a brand-new suit. Wendy was in a champagne-colored dress with flawless makeup. Standing together, they looked like a perfectly matched couple.