Killed By Allergies, Condemned By Her Own Son

My in-laws, who have flown back to the country for the Christmas holidays, visit my home on Christmas Eve for dinner. But Selena Collins, the housekeeper, has only prepared two plates of cold shrimp ravioli despite the fact that I've specifically reminded her about my mother-in-law, Lora Fischer's allergy to shrimps.

Selena just tells me in a stoic manner, "Mrs. Peterson, I know that you country bumpkins love taking advantage of everything. So, I completely understand that your parents want to mooch off a meal from the Peterson family during the holidays.

"But as Mr. Peterson's most caring housekeeper, I have the right to protect the Petersons' assets from getting leeched by outsiders. Yes, this includes a regular meal.

"Then again, I have a heart of gold, you see. I won't starve the elders at all. These are leftover shrimp ravioli from last year. Your parents should hurry up and leave after polishing the ravioli off.

"Mr. Peterson is very busy with his work. I can't let him deal with your impoverished parents after getting home from a stressful day at work."

I'm stunned at first, but I soon realize that Selena has mistaken my in-laws for my parents. She's purposefully causing me trouble as always.

I'm about to explain the truth to Selena when I see my enraged in-laws turning to leave. But Selena wastes no time in calling the bodyguards over to stop them.

"I completely understand that country bumpkins like you two have poor character, but wasting food is a really bad trait.

"Since the shrimp ravioli is already prepared for you, please finish them all before leaving."

My father-in-law, Fred Peterson, was a man who had spent his whole life in a position of power. No one had ever had the guts to treat him this way, and he exploded in rage.

"Josh Peterson! Brat! Has he forgotten who gave him every single penny he owns?

"I can't believe he's letting this housekeeper throw her weight around to insult his father. This is pure insanity!"

My mother-in-law, Lora Fischer, was just as livid. "Honey, we have to talk to Josh. Since when does a housekeeper get to overrule the lady of the house?"

The lady of the house? I could not help but laugh bitterly.

Ever since Josh hired Selena Collins, I had been living worse than the maids. He forbade me from working after we got married, so now, I even had to file an expense request to Selena, the "housekeeper", just to receive money for tampons.

Knowing Selena, I was certain she would not let this rest. So, I stepped in front of my in-laws and tried to reason with her.

"Ms. Collins, these are Josh's parents. His mother is allergic to shrimp, and if he finds out you served them shrimp ravioli, he won't let this slide."

Selena gave me a mocking smirk. "Mrs. Peterson, surely you don't think that just because you married Mr. Peterson, your poor country relatives behind you automatically become his family, do you?

"How dare these two country bumpkins claim to be Mr. Peterson's parents? Do you people have no shame?"

Her expression hardened as she turned to the bodyguards. "Well, don't keep our guests waiting. Make sure Mr. Peterson's 'parents' enjoy the shrimp ravioli I prepared just for them!"

The bodyguards, who only answered to her, immediately yanked Fred and Lora from behind me and forced their heads down toward the plate of shrimp ravioli.

Both in their 50s, they were no match for the bodyguards' brute strength. In seconds, their faces were smeared with the lemon butter sauce and parmesan cheese.

"Selena! Have you lost your mind?" I cried out in alarm.

"I've put up with everything you did to me, but these are Josh's parents! Tell them to stop!"

I lunged forward to pull the bodyguards away, but her men held me back.

She leaned closer to my ear, and her voice dropped to a low whisper only meant for me. "You can marry into money all you want, but you're still a peasant I can crush however I feel like it.

"Today, I'm going to make you watch how lowly people like your parents beg for mercy."