My Father-in-Law Treated Me Like His Own Daughter, But It Was With Ulterior Motives

Celeste’s marriage to Leon Jameson is plagued by the relentless hostility of her mother-in-law, Everly Quinn. Fortunately, her father-in-law, Carter, constantly steps in to shield her. But when Celeste accidentally cuts her finger in the kitchen, Carter’s tender assistance triggers a domestic explosion. Catching them, an outraged Everly accuses Celeste of shameless behavior and attacks her with a broom. In a shocking turn, Carter intervenes with a violent slap, shattering their family dynamic forever.

Chapters

Chapter 2

A week prior, Carter and Everly had moved in to help me recover from childbirth.

On the day they arrived, I was in the room nursing my baby when Everly barged right in, pulling Carter along.

"Lucy, my sweet granddaughter," she cooed, completely oblivious to the situation.

Hastily pulling down my shirt, I reminded her, "Mom, why don't you and Dad wait in the living room? I'll bring the baby out once she's finished eating."

Everly waved her hand dismissively. "It's fine, we can see her right here."

Carter, sensing the awkwardness, turned to leave. Before I could protest further, the baby started wailing.

"Can't you see Lucy's crying? Feed her already, you're giving me a headache! We've seen it all before; what's the big deal?" Everly snapped.

Feeling a twinge of irritation but focusing on soothing my baby, I let go of the argument temporarily. "Mom, could you close the door for me?"

"Behave like a princess when you're not one. So many rules," she muttered as she walked out, leaving me to shut the door myself.

From then on, every feeding session required locking the door to avoid any more awkward encounters.

Everly wasn't shy about voicing her discontent, calling me high-maintenance and pretentious.

After the baby had been fed, I stepped out, only to find Everly engrossed in a series of episodes on the couch while Leon fiddled with his phone. Carter was busy in the kitchen, a solitary figure. Everly snatched the baby from me, but her awkward hold caused Lucy to cry incessantly. Irritated, she handed the baby back. "She's always crying. What a hassle for a little girl."

"Mom, whether it's a boy or a girl, she's still Leon's and my child," I couldn't help but retort.

"Girls are no good; they'll just marry off eventually. Boys are better. If it weren't for our Leon, would you even be here doing chores? Thinking of us first?

"In the end, it's your own fault for not bringing a boy," Everly shot me a contemptuous glance.

Leon, ever the peacemaker, was interrupted by grabbing a handful of nuts from the coffee table and handing them to her. "Mom, try these. They're imported, special from a friend."

He then took the baby from me. "Here, let me take Lucy. You rest."

With that momentary distraction, the issue was quietly settled.

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