Stepping on the Wrong Toes

I secretly invite my in-laws over for the New Year, hoping to surprise my husband, Huxley Carlson.

But the moment my father-in-law steps through the door, Huxley's secretary shoves him out. He slams into the shoe cabinet, throwing out his back.

She sneers. "Who do you beggars think you are, strolling into Mr. Carlson's villa like this? You're this broke and still have the nerve to call yourself his father-in-law?"

I immediately call for the housekeeper to help him, but the secretary blocks her. She even shoves my mother-in-law.

"You really think you're the lady of the house?" she snaps. "Mr. Carlson hired the housekeeper to serve him, not to waste time on you or your useless parents."

My mother-in-law is so enraged that she suffers a heart attack on the spot. I call Huxley in a panic, begging him to come to the hospital.

But he sounds utterly unmoved. His voice is cold and mocking as he says, "Jen told me what happened. The nerve of you, bringing your parents to my house! Now you want me to rush to the hospital because your mom's pretending to be sick?

"Tell them to get out! If she dies, she dies. Hell, maybe it's a blessing—just in time for the New Year!"

The door to the operating theatre swung open just as the call ended.

The doctor pulled off his mask and gave me a grave look before handing me a Notice of Critical Status.

My heart sank.

A nurse approached me with a gentle reminder to pay for my father-in-law's hospital bills.

That was when it hit me—Jennifer Grant, that despicable woman, had pushed my father-in-law down. And now, he was still lying unconscious in a hospital bed.

I reached for my wallet, ready to swipe my card, only to find it had insufficient funds.

I tried several other cards, but all of them had been frozen. Who else could've done this, if not Huxley Carlson?

Fuming, I called him. It wasn't until the third attempt that he finally answered.

"Huxley, have you gone mad? You froze all my cards! Mom and Dad are in the hospital. They need the money to survive!"

His voice on the other end was as cold as ever. "This is your punishment, Katherine Sadler. We had a deal. Your backwater parents were not supposed to come here. You broke that promise."

"That's your mother you're talking about! This is a matter of life and death. Can you just unfreeze the cards for now?"

I was nearly shouting, my anxiety and fury boiling over like a volcano.

But all I got in return was a bitter laugh. "I knew it. You only married me for my money! Now you'll say just about anything to get your hands on it. You should be grateful that I'm even supporting you. Don't even think about my money!"

"You're unbelievable! Your mother is in critical condition. The doctor has issued a Notice of Critical Status! Come and see for yourself! This… This could be the last time you ever see her…"

For a moment, there was silence. I thought I heard hesitation in Huxley's voice.

Just when I thought he might finally have a change of heart, Jennifer's voice came through the receiver.

"Hux, how could they possibly be your parents when they're so poorly dressed? Didn't you say they went to Tarnhews on vacation a few days ago? If you don't believe her, the other one's still fine, right? Just get your father on the phone. That will prove whether he's really your father."

Huxley's voice hardened again. "I'm not going to the hospital, Katherine. If you say they're my parents, then have my father answer the phone."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, overwhelmed by helplessness.

Now my father-in-law lay unconscious in a hospital bed. How was I supposed to wake him up just to prove a point to his own son?

But I had no choice.

"Hold on, he fainted earlier. I'll try to wake him."

I walked to my father-in-law's bedside. His face was pale, his lips quivering as he let out a few incoherent mumbles.

A doctor came over and explained, "He had a mild stroke from the shock. He should recover in a few days."

I spoke helplessly into the phone, "Your father had a stroke. He can't talk right now."