Chapter 1

My wife Bruna, whom I'd loved for ten years, died in a car accident. I completely ignored the barrage of phone calls.

Instead, I went to a bar with my childhood friend Gina to drink and party. I didn't even attend Bruna's funeral.

The day after the burial, I came home with Gina in my arms.

As soon as I walked through the door, I saw my furious mother-in-law, Carol.

"You bastard! How dare you show your face! Get out! You're not welcome here!"

I remained unmoved and calmly lit a cigarette.

"I think you've got it wrong. If anyone should leave, it's you."

"The house—I paid for it in full. I paid for the renovation too. It has nothing to do with Bruna."

I flicked the ash from my cigarette and pulled Gina down to sit beside me.

"Bullshit! How does it have nothing to do with her? You've been married to Bruna for so many years—this house is marital property! Bruna's name is on the deed!"

"The law says that whoever paid for the house before marriage owns it. What you're saying is outdated."

I stubbed out my cigarette, about to call building management to throw them out.

Actually, Bruna had paid for half the house, but she never told Carol.

Given the current situation, I didn't want to mention it.

Carol's anger didn't subside. She slapped my phone out of my hand.

"So that's how it is! Bruna's body is barely cold, and you've already brought your mistress home. Now you want to kick us out? No way!"

"I won't give up this house no matter what. Consider it compensation for us!"

Carol ranted, trying to push me out the door.

During the struggle, Carol fell to the ground.

She simply sat there and started making a scene.

"Donald, you bastard! Your wife is dead, and now you're bullying her family!"

"Bruna, are you watching from heaven? This is the man you loved for ten years—a complete scumbag!"

My father-in-law Anderson spoke up then.

His tone was relatively calm.

"Donald, Carol and I have nowhere to stay in the city. Can you bear to see two old people homeless on the streets? You have a high salary—you can buy another house later."

"Do I look like an idiot?" I asked back.

Before they could respond, I continued,

"Besides, over all these years, I've given you plenty of money. That's enough for you to rent a place."

"Who would rent to old people? You're deliberately making things difficult for us! Cough, cough..."

As Anderson spoke, he began coughing uncontrollably, a trace of blood appearing at the corner of his mouth.

When Carol saw this, she immediately stood up from the floor.

She pointed at my nose and cursed,

"You bastard! You won't be satisfied until you make us cough up blood, will you!"

"If you're going to die, die outside. Don't dirty my floor."

I took out a handkerchief and methodically wiped my hands, not missing even the spaces between my fingers.

"Donald, how can you talk like that?"

Bruna's brother Maurice rushed over and grabbed my collar.

I tilted my head, avoiding his punch.

"You're asking for it!"

Maurice was furious, ready to throw another punch.

But this time I didn't give him the chance. I used his own force against him, pulling and tugging.

Maurice's clenched fist slammed directly into the heavy iron door, making him howl in pain.

"This is my home. Please leave immediately, or I'm calling the police."

I held up the phone Gina handed me and waved it. The number on the screen was clearly visible.

A flash of panic crossed all three of their faces at once.