Chapter 1
When the shares were split up, I became the joke of the Reyes family.
Caesar Reyes skipped right over me and handed the shares to the other three daughters-in-law.
He said, "We don't keep freeloaders in this family."
I kept my head down and stayed silent, but inside, I was sneering.
Yeah, no freeloaders, huh? So what did that make me, the one who had been coughing up 200 thousand dollars every year for his premium medical insurance?
Guess I was just the fool here, huh?
My husband Ivan grabbed my arm, telling me to calm down.
But I wasn't about to lose it. I simply took out my phone and canceled a payment I'd been making for three years straight.
Now, we were square.
*****
The Reyes family's routine council was so tense.
The heavy table reflected the cold, sharp light from the crystal chandelier above.
I sat at the far end, a fine bone china cup of top-grade coffee in front of me, its bitter aroma curling in the air.
Caesar, my father-in-law, sat at the head of the table, clearing his throat, his shrewd, calculating eyes sweeping over everyone in the room.
He looked every bit the king, surveying his kingdom and his subjects.
"I've called everyone here today to announce something important," Caesar said.
His voice carried the authority of someone used to giving orders.
"The company has performed well financially this year. After discussing with the board, we've decided to distribute some shares to those who've truly contributed to the family."
As soon as he finished, my sisters-in-law, Lillian and Debra's eyes lit up.
Ivan, my husband, sitting next to me, looked a little hopeful too.
He nudged my hand, as if to say, 'See? Dad still has us in mind.'
I just gave a small smile and stayed quiet.
"Lillian," Caesar called out.
Lillian immediately sat up straight.
"Lillian's family helped us land the South City project this year. Thanks to her hard work and dedication, she gets 2% of the shares," Caesar announced.
Lillian's face broke into a dazzling smile as she said, "Thank you so much, Caesar."
"Debra," Caesar called.
Debra straightened up, tilting her chin up, looking all proud.
"Debra's father has been a longtime friend of ours and always backed us up with his connections. She gets 2% of the shares as well," Caesar said.
Debra covered her mouth, let out a smug laugh, and gave me a smug glance.
Debra's eyes were full of smug satisfaction and blatant disdain.
Everyone in the room turned their gaze to me.
Ivan was practically holding his breath, eyes locked on his father.
Caesar picked up his cup, blew on the surface, and took a slow, deliberate sip.
Then he slammed the cup down on the table, making a sharp clink.
"As for Belle..." Caesar stretched out her name, making everyone wait.
Everyone was on edge, holding their breath.
"Belle's out," he said.
He gave a dismissive smirk, like it was just business as usual.
"The Reyes family doesn't keep freeloaders," he added.
It was like a bomb went off in my head.
The whole world went dead silent.
Freeloader,.
So after three years of putting my life on hold, cooking for them, and running their household, that was all I got?
Debra's snicker, which she couldn't even bother to hide, was especially grating.
Lillian just lowered her head, not saying a word in my defense.
Ivan, sitting next to me, his face darkened with embarrassment.
He clutched at the hem of my shirt, lips trembling as he struggled to speak.
"Dad... how could you say that about Belle?" he whispered, his voice barely above a whisper.
His words were lost beneath Debra's smug laughter.
I never once looked up.
No one saw my expression.
I quietly took out my phone from my pocket.
The screen lit up, mirroring my calm, unreadable eyes.
I navigated to the auto-renew payment I'd been making for three years.
[Plan Name: Premium Life, Global Elite Medical Insurance Plan.
[Beneficiary: Caesar Reyes.
[Annual Fee: 200,000 dollars.]
My finger tapped lightly on the screen.
[Cancel and Unsubscribe.]
A confirmation window appeared.
I tapped "Confirm" immediately.
A message popped up: [Dear Mrs. Reyes, the medical plan for Caesar Reyes has been cancelled. Service will end in three days. Thank you.]
I locked my phone and put it back in my pocket.
The whole process was quiet and efficient.
I gave Ivan a faint smile, as indifferent as a glass of water left out overnight.
I said, "I'm tired. I'll head back to my room."
I stood up without meeting anyone's eyes at the table.
Ivan rushed in after me and slammed the door shut.