Chapter 1I’m Inferior to My Sister-in-Law in Every Way

A month before my 35th birthday, a letter arrived informing me that I was to inherit one million dollars from my late parents.

I spun around, a grin spreading across my face, ready to share the incredible news with my husband.

Mark was just opening his lunchbox when he spoke, his voice flat.

"You know, you're actually kind of an embarrassment to me."

My smile froze, the joy evaporating into confusion.

He set his lunch aside and looked at me, his expression calm, almost detached.

"Your cooking is decent, I'll give you that. But compared to Claire? It's not even close."

"You're like some tiresome, nagging maid."

The words were spoken so lightly, yet they plunged into my heart like daggers.

He continued, lost in his own monologue.

"You take good care of me and Lia, I'm not denying that. But when it comes to her education, you're miles behind Claire. I know Lia's grades aren't great, but you don't have to be so harsh on her."

And just like that, I understood.

He was still holding a grudge because I’d lost my temper with Claire—his widowed sister-in-law—for wearing my mother's necklace to our daughter's parent-teacher conference, a conference she had attended in my place.

His simple words drained all the strength from my body.

I felt utterly, completely exhausted.

* * *

I turned, grabbing my purse, needing to get out.

Mark frowned, his hand shooting out to grab my wrist.

"Are you going to start making a scene just because I told you the truth?"

"Yes."

My mother-in-law, who had clearly heard everything, merely glanced over before returning to her phone. My father-in-law sat fiddling with his radio, completely absorbed.

Mark looked at me as if I were a puzzle he couldn't solve.

"What is your problem now? Am I wrong? Claire was just trying to help you out by going to the conference for you. So what if she wore your necklace? Can't you be a little more considerate of others for once?"

He was so earnest, as if he were prosecuting me for some heinous crime.

Our daughter was falling behind in school, but his family did nothing but coddle her, showing zero concern for her future. Every time I tried to be the "bad guy" and enforce some discipline, Claire would swoop in with her lectures on "positive reinforcement" and letting kids be kids.

And my own husband had not only let her go to the conference in my place but had also let her wear the last precious thing my mother had left me.

All I had done was mutter a few resentful words, and he had held it against me ever since.

"Is it time for lunch? Lia and Leo must be starving."

Claire walked in with the two children, her eyes widening as she sensed the tension.

My father-in-law put down his radio and immediately went to his grandson, Leo, ruffling his hair.

"Leo, you're back! Come tell Grandpa where you went to play."

He casually led Leo away from the conflict. Our daughter, Lia, after a hesitant look in our direction, quietly followed them. A pang of bitterness shot through me as I watched my own daughter fade into the background.

"Alright, Lydia, stop it. We're about to eat. Hurry up and get things unpacked," Mark said, releasing my arm. His tone was not a request; it was a command.

Claire stepped forward to help, but Mark stopped her.

"Don't, Claire. You go sit down and rest. This stuff is greasy. You don't want to get your hands dirty."

My heart hammered against my ribs. Did he ever once think about my hands?

I looked at the man I shared my life with and saw a complete stranger.

The silence from my in-laws was their verdict.

Still, a part of me refused to surrender.

"Can you help me, then?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

Mark turned to me, a small smile playing on his lips. Hope, fragile and foolish, flickered within me. If he helps me, I thought, I'll tell him about the money...

But his next words plunged me into an icy abyss.

"Stop playing the victim."

"You've been doing this stuff for years. Why are you being so dramatic now? Claire is gracious enough to offer, and you're actually going to take her up on it?"

"You can't expect everyone to do everything for you."

His voice was gentle.

But the pain in my chest was sharp.

I had had enough of his endless, crushing comparisons.