My Wife's Other Family

Did I hear that right? She was threatening me?

Ever since we got married, I worked from home and barely showed up at the company. She figured I was jobless, living off her—throwing me a thousand bucks a month so I wouldn't starve.

I never touched it. Everything I wore, everything I owned—it was all custom. She just couldn't tell.

So to her, I was just some stray waiting for scraps.

"Talia, I'm not interested in your pocket change."

She didn't snap. She laughed, turning to the crowd.

"Sorry you all had to see this. He's my husband's old benefactor—did him a favor once. Out of gratitude, I've been covering his food and clothes. Guess it wasn't enough. Now he's here trying to wreck our family."

Just like that, she flipped everything—swapped me with Danny and made me the pathetic leech.

I pressed my tongue to my burning cheek and walked straight at her, face cold.

Danny flinched, backing up. "Jerome, wh-what are you doing? We can talk. Talia can give you more money!"

He ducked behind her. She stepped in front, blocking me.

"Jerome, that's enough."

I stared at her, blank.

"Talia Sweeney. Since when is Danny my benefactor? And when did I ever extort him?"

She rubbed her temples, annoyed, glancing at the crowd.

"Enough, Jerome. No matter what, you don't touch my kids. I can—"

Smack.

I hit her full force. She went down hard.

Talia clutched her face and screamed.

"Disgusting. You made me dirty my hands."

She'd never been humiliated like this in public. Her glare turned vicious.

"If you're done, get out. My husband's merciful—otherwise, you'd already be in cuffs. Be smart and leave. Or I'll cut off your allowance. Don't come begging later."

"So you think money makes you untouchable? You're unbelievable."

She lifted her chin, smug. "Money's not all I have. Let me show you what else I can do.

"Security, grab him!"

Then she pulled out her phone and opened the chat app, turning the screen just enough for me to see.

"Your grandfather just had a heart transplant overseas, right? If I call him now... you think that surgery meant nothing?"

Grandpa—he only cared about me.

I struggled hard.

"You wouldn't dare! If anything happens to my grandfather, I won't let it slide. First thing I'll do is throw you out of Cresthaven Hotel!"

Her face snapped, rage taking over.

"You? Throw me out? Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Because I'm the chairman of Cresthaven!"