I Became the New Wife of my Brother-In-Law

After my sister passed away, I married her widower, Victor Castillo. That made me the stepmother to her five-year-old son, Asher Castillo.

On my birthday, I accidentally wore one of my late sister’s dresses.

In front of the entire family, little Asher hurled my birthday cake straight at my face.

He looked down at me, frosting dripping from my hair, with the same cold, expressionless gaze as his father.

“You don’t get to replace my mom just because you married into the Castillo family,” he spat. “You greedy, fake woman.”

Then his voice darkened, dripping with malice.

“I wish it had been you who died instead. We’d be lighting candles for your funeral, not celebrating your stupid birthday.”

“When I grow up, I promise, the first thing I’ll do is kick you out of this house!”

The overly sweet cake slid onto the corner of my lips, but all I could taste was bitterness.

I stared at the little boy I had raised for years and felt… finished.

If a child can’t love you, maybe it’s time to let go.

But after I walked away, both Victor and Asher returned, crawling on their knees, full of regret, begging for my forgiveness.

——

“Liana, are you really sure about divorcing Victor?” Mrs. De Luca asked over the phone, her voice heavy with concern. “Asher’s still so young. He needs you.”

I leaned against the kitchen counter, one hand pressed to it, and replied evenly, “I married Victor because of the contract. Asher is five now—he can manage. He doesn’t need me anymore.”

I owed Mrs. De Luca everything. To repay her kindness, I had agreed to a five-year marriage contract—five years of pretending to be the perfect Castillo wife, caring for Victor and his son. But that contract ends tomorrow. Freedom is finally within reach.

Before she could respond, something sharp struck my forehead. A stone clattered across the tile.

I brought my hands up, touching the cut as blood trickled down. I turned to see Asher outside the window, arms crossed, eyes narrowing with disdain.

“Telling Grandma again? Looks like you didn’t learn the first lesson I gave you. Maybe I should throw you to the ground too, so you can keep my mom company!”

Shock froze me as memories from earlier returned.

It was my twenty-fifth birthday, the first I’d ever celebrated. I bought a small cake and, by mistake, wore my late sister’s dress. Asher had erupted.

He grabbed the cake, scribbled “RIP” on it with black paint, and added white chrysanthemums on top—funeral flowers. My birthday had been turned into a memorial.

“You think you deserve a celebration?” he had laughed cruelly. “If it weren’t for you, my mom would still be alive. Remember this: today is not your birthday—it’s your death day.”

Then, in front of everyone, he shoved the cake into my face, ruining the day I had been looking forward to.

I didn’t scream. I didn’t cry. I walked silently to the kitchen.

He trailed behind me, furious that I had no reaction.

“What, now you’re upset? You’re so weak!” he snapped. “When I grow up, I’ll kick you out of this house, you’ll see!”

I looked at him—the child I had nurtured for five years—and felt my chest tighten with exhaustion.

“You won’t have to wait,” I said quietly. “I’m leaving this house tomorrow.”

I went to the living room to tend to the cut on my forehead. I was wrapping it when a sudden crash came from upstairs. Glass shattered.

A shiver ran down my spine.

I rushed upstairs and found my mother’s only keepsake—a jade bracelet—smashed into tiny pieces. Glittering shards glimmered in the light, stabbing at my heart.

I dropped to my knees, picking up each fragment carefully. I hadn’t cried when Victor’s parents berated me, or when Victor treated me like a replacement for my sister. I hadn’t cried when Asher publicly humiliated me with the cake.

But seeing my mother’s bracelet in pieces… I lost control.

Tears streamed down my face, unrelenting.

Asher watched me collapse and smirked. “Hurts, doesn’t it? Losing the thing you love the most? That’s what you get for killing my mom. I’ll destroy everything you care about now. Murderer!”

I snapped. Grabbing his arm, I dragged him toward me. “Pick up every piece and put it back together, now!”

Shock widened his eyes—he had never seen me like this. But before he could react, a force shoved me to the floor.

“What’s wrong with you?” Victor shouted, bloodshot eyes glaring. “It’s just a bracelet. Why are you yelling at a kid?”

I stared up at the man I once promised to love. To him, it was a trinket. To me, it was priceless.

Ten years ago, an earthquake destroyed my hometown. My mother died shielding me from falling concrete. I lost her that day.

Mrs. De Luca found me at fifteen, paid for my education, and gave me a future. That’s how I ended up here.

Victor seemed to realize his mistake. He pushed Asher out, closed the door, and lifted me from the floor, gently brushing away my tears.

“I thought you were stronger than this,” he said softly. “You shouldn’t take it out on a child. Asher deserves an apology.”

Then, leaning down, he started unbuttoning my blouse.

“It’s your birthday. Let me make it up to you—a reward for everything you’ve done for this family.”

I inhaled sharply and pushed him away.

“Victor,” I said calmly but firmly, “I want a divorce.”