SECRET HEIR

TAMERA'S POV

"Thief."

That word hit harder than the slap.

My cheek stung, burning hot from the force of it. I stood there, hand pressed to my face, trying to figure out what the hell just happened. My mind was still catching up. Was this real life? Or did I somehow get dropped into an overly dramatic telenovela? Because no way was I standing in my in-laws' over decorated living room, being accused like some common criminal.

But nope. This wasn't a dream. It was painfully real. And unfortunately for me, the nightmare was just getting started.

"I knew from the start you were nothing but a gold-digging little tramp," Delores snapped. Delores, my husband's mom, aka the queen of dramatic entrances and soul-crushing insults, stood with her arms crossed like she was ready for round two. "You were never good enough for my son. And now this? Stealing from us? You're pathetic."

I blinked. Stealing? I didn't steal it!

"I didn't do it! " I managed to say, my voice coming out weaker than I liked. "I didn't steal anything! Why would I? I have done everything for this family. I've been loyal since day one."

There. That was brave, right? Except... wrong move.

Before I could even brace myself, another slap cracked across my other cheek. And this time, it wasn't from her.

It was from him.

Max.

My husband. My supposed partner. The man I stupidly thought would always have my back.

My breath caught in my throat as I stared at him, completely frozen.

No. This wasn't happening. This couldn't be happening.

"Max..." I whispered, the name barely making it past my lips. My chest was tight, like my heart was trying to claw its way out.

He looked at me like I was nothing. Not the woman he married. Not the woman who stood by him when he was grinding to build his empire. Just nothing.

"You have some nerve," he spat. "Standing there, acting all innocent. After everything I gave you. And now you steal from me? From my family?" His eyes were pure hatred.

I could barely breathe. My ears were ringing.

"I didn't fucking do it!" I choked out, my voice cracking. "It's a damn bracelet, Max. Why the hell would I steal that?"

My throat burned, and my eyes were stinging, but I refused to cry again. Not in front of them. Not like this.

A husband is supposed to have your back, right? Especially when the whole world's turning against you? But apparently, that's just too much to expect from Max.

He didn't even move. He stood across from me like a stranger, arms folded, face cold, jaw locked tight like he couldn't stand the sight of me. His brown eyes used to be warm, soft... home. Now? They were empty. Like all the love was just gone.

This wasn't the man I married.

And of course, Delores had to step in. Because what's a family disaster without the mother-in-law stirring the pot like it's her full-time job?

"Oh, give it a rest with the dramatics," she said, walking toward me like she owned the damn floor. "Do you really think we don't see through this little act? You have been sucking the life out of this family since day one. Trapping Max, clinging to his money, his name, now this? Stealing? How low can you go?"

I blinked at her, biting the inside of my cheek to stop myself from screaming.

"You really hate me that much, huh?" I said, meeting her eyes head-on. "I have never stolen anything in my life, but it doesn't matter, does it? You made up your mind about me the second Max brought me home."

She narrowed her eyes, clearly not used to me talking back. Her expression twisted into something worse, something almost satisfied, like she was winning.

But I didn't care anymore.

I turned to Max. Because despite everything, a piece of me was still stupid enough to hope.

"Max," I said softly, stepping toward him. "You know me. You know I'd never-"

"Shut up, Tamara."

My heart actually stopped for a second.

This weekend was supposed to be normal. Just a stupid little getaway with the in-laws. I didn't even want to come. Delores was always a nightmare, but I never expected to be framed.

They said the family heirloom, some ancient gold bracelet worth a small fortune went missing. Then boom. Magically, it shows up in my bag.

How convenient.

It was like walking into a trap I didn't know I was in until it was already too late.

"Are you seriously choosing not to trust me?" I whispered, stepping toward him, desperate to reach the part of him that still loved me, if it even existed anymore. "I didn't take the jewelry. I don't know how this happened, but I swear, I didn't do it."

His expression didn't change. If anything, it hardened.

"You can't fool me you know? The Tamara I married is different from what you are now. I know you did it," he muttered, looking down at me with disgust. "I can't believe I ever trusted you."

Oh that hurt, no hurt is an understatement. It tore me to fucking shreds! I have tried so hard, to make sure his family never got between us, that they never make him hate me

But it happened already