Chapter 4

Ignoring Dave completely, I picked up my daughter and headed downstairs, only to find Bianca blocking the front door.

She had somehow changed into a maid's uniform, one that conveniently hugged every curve, and held a broom in her hands like a trophy.

The floor behind her sparkled, so spotless it could've been licked clean.

Tania's eyes gleamed with approval as she clapped her hands.

"Bianca really is something. Beautiful and hardworking, unlike someone who doesn't even know how to use a mop."

Bianca cast a demure glance at Dave, fluttering her lashes like a shy schoolgirl.

"I just have a bit of a cleanliness streak. I want to keep the house spotless so that the people I care about can feel comfortable."

I shoved her aside calmly.

"Move. A good dog knows when to get out of the way."

People like Bianca had been flattering others for so long, and it was hard for them to remember how to survive on their own.

Tania's face soured immediately.

Her voice turned sharp as she spat, "Elise! Look at Bianca, sweating all morning to clean your house. You should be thanking her for sharing your workload, not humiliating her like this. You're a disgrace to women!"

I let out a cold laugh.

"Thank her? For what? She hasn't paid a cent for food or board, and all she's done is sweep the floor. Do I look insane, or is your brain just not working?"

The moment the words left my mouth, Bianca's tears fell dramatically onto the pristine floor.

"I'm sorry," she sobbed, her voice trembling. "It's my fault that my husband died. I shouldn't have come here. Dave, I'll leave. I don't want Elise to misunderstand me."

She was a sobbing mess, yet somehow still managed to look delicate and pitiful.

Dave immediately snapped, "That's enough, Elise!"

I rolled my eyes, my voice rising to match his anger.

"Enough? Oh, we're just getting started, Dave. Did I invite her into my house? Did I ask her to play maid and sweep my floors?"

Before Dave could respond, Victor, my father-in-law, stormed over and snatched the broom from Bianca's hands, flinging it onto the ground with a loud crack.

"Enough yelling!" he barked.

The room fell silent, tension crackling in the air.

And yet, as Bianca, Tania, and Dave lined up like soldiers in solidarity, it was clear who the outsider was.

Where was Victor when Tania was making her snide remarks? Where was he when Dave yelled at me like I was the problem? Now, the moment my voice rose, he suddenly cared about "keeping the peace."

I thought back to our wedding day. I'd asked for no dowry, gifting them a car and an apartment instead.

Victor and Tania had sung praises of my generosity, promising they'd take my side if Dave ever mistreated me.

They'd said, "Do whatever you like."

Looking at them now, this perfectly united front, I almost laughed.

I huffed, deciding I'd get my daughter out of this mess first.

But before I could leave, Bianca dropped to her knees in front of me.

"Elise, please don't blame Tania or Dave. This is all my fault. If I weren't so desperate, I'd never have come here." Her voice quivered like a fragile thread ready to snap.

"I'll take my son and leave. We can sleep under a bridge if we have to. I don't want to be the reason your family falls apart..."

Even as she spoke, her body betrayed her words.

She leaned subtly into Dave, who didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around her protectively.

"Elise," he said, his voice dripping with disappointment. "I can't believe you. Bianca's only staying here temporarily. She's a widow with a child. Have you forgotten what it's like to be a mother? If you want to throw a tantrum, just come at me. How can you be so cruel?"

Bianca nestled further into his embrace, her face turned away but her expression smug.

Oh, Dave still hadn't figured it out. Who was truly "cruel" in this situation?

Victor chimed, his voice gruff with irritation.

"Enough fighting! We just moved into this house, and you're already making a scene. Do you want to scare away the family's luck?"

I stared at them and marveled at the absurdity of it all. Would they still be standing here, so smug and self-assured, if I hadn't won that 50 million?