Chapter 3

“You wish. Eric has not been well lately. He needs supplements to recover. You have lived here for years, so you should repay some of that debt.”

Eric leaned against the couch and looked at me with a sickly expression.

“That’s right. I’ve only managed because Stacy has been taking care of me.”

Wendy gently tucked the blanket around him, then said to me in a commanding tone, “Mom is getting old, and Eric is sick. Stop causing trouble.”

A cold laugh echoed in my mind.

When I collapsed in the office from overworking, she did not even call once.

When Ken had a high fever and was hospitalized, she never came to see him.

My mother-in-law always looked down on me. She treated us with cold indifference.

Wendy focused entirely on her career and ignored the family.

So, why should I stay and serve them?

I clenched my teeth, picked up my son, and headed for the bedroom.

As I passed the living room, I heard Wendy and Eric talking.

“Darling, if you had not stepped in as Stacy, I would not know how to go on.”

Her voice softened as she said, “I’m here. I won’t leave you alone. I’ll stay with you. I convinced Mom too. Otherwise, how would she agree to let me pretend to be Stacy?”

My nails dug into my palm until blood oozed out.

So, Eric and Wendy had been involved for a long time. Even my mother-in-law was in on it.

Their relationship started earlier than I imagined, while I remained completely in the dark.

As I looked at my sleeping son, I told myself that I would endure this farce for a little longer. Soon, we would leave this place.

Sure enough, the next day, I received a transfer order to the Calinorma branch. I could report there at any time.

I immediately packed my things.

Just as I reached the door, Wendy appeared with a grim expression.

Her gaze locked onto the ticket in my hand. Her voice turned cold.

“Where are you going?”

I slipped the ticket into my pocket and shielded Ken behind me.

“That’s none of your business, Stacy.”

I emphasized her sister’s name.

Her expression froze for a moment, then softened.

“Don’t be upset. If you stay, I can help take care of Ken.”

I looked at her coldly. “No need. From today on, we’ll have nothing to do with your family.”

I grabbed my son and moved to leave.

She rushed forward, snatched my briefcase, and pulled out the ticket.

Without hesitation, she tore it into pieces and looked down at me.

“I’m doing this for your own good. You’re taking care of a child alone. You don’t know Calinorma well. You’re better off staying here. At least you will have support.”

As I watched the shredded pieces of the ticket fall, anger surged through me.

I shoved her aside. “Stop pretending. You know I am your brother-in-law, so stay away from me.”

Instead of backing off, she stepped closer. Her eyes were cold.

“You should think about this carefully. My family has supported you all these years. And you think you can just leave? Not that easy.”

I let out a mocking laugh.

In my previous life and at the hospital, I begged her to save my son, yet she refused.

When I wanted to leave, they all tried to stop me.

“Who do you think you are? My wife? My son and I will leave whenever we want. You don’t get to interfere.”

She frowned, then suddenly softened her tone.

“Are you misunderstanding something? Even if Wendy is gone, we’re still family.”

Before she could finish, I slapped her.

She staggered, and her face twisted with fury.

“You dare hit me? You are definitely not leaving today!”

She grabbed my wrist and dragged me toward the room while I struggled.

At that moment, a commotion came from outside, followed by the door being pushed open.

When she saw who it was, her face turned deathly pale.