I fell for James, not his family’s fortune, but his father, Henry, pegged me as a fortune-hunter from the start. He barely greeted me at our wedding and dismissed me at family gatherings, his politeness forced. At a grand Sunday dinner, with exquisite dishes and candlelight, he lashed out. A guest teased about my gym habits, and Henry quipped, “Maybe she’s meeting a lover.” The room went still. I stared as he accused me of cheating and marrying James for money, his words cutting deep.
James stood, outraged, but Henry shouted, “She’s tricking you!” I took James’s hand, grabbed my purse, and left. At home, he apologized, but I wanted Henry’s respect. The next day, James’s mother, Evelyn, suggested a shopping trip to ease the sting. At the mall, her warmth soothed me until she spotted Henry with a young woman, laughing intimately. My heart pounded, but Evelyn stayed composed. “We’ll handle it,” she said, leading me to follow them.
We watched Henry kiss the woman goodbye outside a café. She sat inside, and we approached. “You know Henry?” Evelyn asked. The woman, Mia, said he claimed to be single, promising marriage. Shocked, she agreed to help us. Evelyn planned Henry’s birthday at a luxurious restaurant, hiring Mia as the host. Henry froze when she appeared. During dessert, Evelyn announced Mia’s “pregnancy,” startling the crowd. Henry dragged Mia to a bathroom, her live mic broadcasting his rant: “You’ll get no money from me!”
The guests were stunned. Mia left, and Evelyn told Henry, “Expect my lawyer,” citing their prenup. James drove us home, saying, “He’s finished.” I replied, “He brought it on himself.” Weeks later, Henry came to our door, broke and pleading. James stood firm: “You insulted my wife and betrayed Mom. Leave.” The door closed. Evelyn’s brilliant scheme, with Mia’s help, exposed Henry’s hypocrisy. I rest easy now, knowing Evelyn’s trust in me turned his slander into his ruin, a lesson in justice delivered with grace.
