I married Tom for love, not his family’s wealth, but his father, Edward, always saw me as a gold-digger. He ignored me at our wedding and barely spoke to me at family events, his smile cold. At a fancy Sunday dinner, with decadent food and polished silver, he snapped. Someone joked about my gym routine, and Edward sneered, “Maybe she’s sneaking off with a lover.” Silence fell. I was shocked as he accused me of cheating and using Tom for money, his voice booming across the table.
Tom stood, angry, but Edward pressed on, calling me a fraud. I grabbed my bag, held Tom’s hand, and walked out. At home, he apologized, but I needed Edward’s accountability. The next morning, Tom’s mother, Clara, invited me shopping to lift our spirits. Strolling through a chic mall, her kindness steadied me. Then Clara froze, spotting Edward with a young woman, giggling and holding hands. My chest tightened, but Clara’s eyes gleamed with purpose. “We’ll fix this,” she said.
We trailed them, watching Edward part with the woman outside a café. She sat inside, and we joined her. “You know Edward?” Clara asked calmly. The woman, Sophie, said he claimed to be divorced, promising a future together. Disillusioned, she agreed to help us expose him. Clara planned Edward’s birthday party at an elegant venue, with Sophie as the host. When she appeared, Edward paled. During speeches, Clara announced Sophie’s “pregnancy,” shocking the guests. Edward pulled Sophie aside, not knowing her mic was on, ranting, “You’ll get nothing from me!”
His words stunned the crowd. Sophie left, and Clara told Edward, “My lawyer’s ready,” referencing their prenup. Tom drove us home, saying, “He’s done.” I nodded, “He chose this.” Later, Edward begged at our door, broke and desperate. Tom was firm: “You slandered my wife and hurt Mom. Go.” The door shut. Clara’s plan, with Sophie’s courage, turned Edward’s lies against him. I feel whole now, knowing Clara’s belief in me brought justice, proving truth can outshine deceit with style.
