The Abused Son-in-Law's Revenge

n him, the gold-framed portraits lining the walls, the luxurious carpets beneath his feet-everything felt like a reminder of the life he hadn't

rich mahogany desk, cluttered with papers and family documents. It all looked s

mind wasn't on the furniture or the room itself. It was on the

t keep pretending everything was fine. His life, his future-Clara's family-they had all buil

a recent business agreement that had been pushed onto him. It was supposed to be a partnership, a chance for Ethan to prove his worth. But it had always fe

ut it had been under duress, with the promise that it would lead to something greater. Instead, it

en in his shoes? She had always been a part of this world. This life was nothing new to her. But

plan. He needed to take control, and he wasn't going to do it by

soft knock on the door. It was Clar

she was unsure if she should enter. The

e low and controlled, though

he door behind her, her eyes searching his as she took a hesitan

ook at her right now-not when the words he needed to say were so heavy, so pa

emotion. "I can't keep pretending. I can't keep

a step closer, but Ethan held up hi

ion. "I've been trying to fit into a life that isn't mine. I've been trying to be something I'm not, j

x of confusion and hurt. "Ethan, what a

control anymore. This family... they've never accepted me for who I am. They just see me

ing with tears. "But I love you. I want us to be to

t everything they've done to me. Everything they've taken from me. My independence, my dignity, my sense

ely now. "Ethan, please... I don't want to l

is feelings for her stop him from doing what needed to be done. He lov

y want me to be, Clara.

them. Clara wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, taking a shaky breath. "So

everything. The lies, the manipulation, the control. I'm not going to let

saw something different in her eyes-something that ha

s, there's no going back, Ethan. You'll burn every bridge.

ew what needed to be done. He couldn't keep living in the shadow of their expectations.

ft to lose, Clara.

mbling at her sides. "Then I guess th

ing for the door. But as she reached for the handle

she said, her voice barely a whisper. "Becau

lit study. He stood there for a long time, staring at the

onger. And it was only a matter of time b