Chapter 3

I called Ryan several times, but his phone was off. I understood this, as he couldn't answer calls during surgery.

Some things couldn't be said over text, so I wanted to talk face-to-face.

Just before leaving work, I noticed I had missed a message from Ryan saying he had back-to-back surgeries and wouldn't be home for dinner.

Before entering the house, I took a moment to prepare myself mentally. After what happened earlier, it would be awkward for anyone to face each other.

Hearing the door open, Linda poked her head out of the kitchen. Seeing it was just me, her face darkened.

"Where's Ryan?" she asked.

"He's not coming home for dinner," I replied.

Hearing this, Linda turned back into the kitchen. After I finished showering, I found the house unusually quiet. The lights in the kitchen and dining room were off, and there was no food on the dining table.

I could have sworn I smelled something delicious when I first came in.

Curious, I walked into the kitchen. The stove was clean, and there was only half a sandwich left.

Was this an open challenge? Well, fine then. It's not like I don't have hands of my own.

I took out my phone and ordered a steak dinner set. Luckily, a new restaurant was offering a 12% discount, so the single-person set was only $14.

After placing the order, I lazily scrolled through my phone on the bed until the doorbell rang.

I have to say, the service from the new restaurant was excellent. The set I ordered came with extras, filling the entire table.

I don't know if it was the aroma wafting into Linda's room or if she was trying to monitor me, but she suddenly opened her door and came out. Seeing me heartily digging in, she was stunned.

"What... what are you doing?" Linda stammered.

"Eating. Can't you see?" I replied without even looking up.

"What kind of daughter-in-law are you, indulging like this every day?" Linda angrily slammed the table again.

"What kind of daughter-in-law doesn't need to eat?" I retorted, not even bothering to lift my eyelids.

"Didn't I leave you a sandwich? That's what I ate too. What are you complaining about?"

"If you want to eat that, go ahead. I don't like it," I said.

I had already finished eating. I stood up and packed the leftover food, then threw it straight into the trash. Linda's face turned green.

"How much did this meal cost?" Her eyes were sharp. She picked up the receipt on the takeout box, looked at it, and cried out as if she'd been bitten by a snake, "14 dollars! You spent 14 dollars on one meal?"

"Yes, and it was on discount. Usually, it costs 20," I said with a smirk, looking at her. "But the taste is really good. I might order it more often!"

"You wasteful thing! You're going to be the death of me! This is unbearable!" Linda exclaimed.

Just as Linda finished speaking, there was a sound at the front door. Ryan was home.

"Weren't you working overtime? You're too late to see how impressive your dear wife is. She ordered a whole table of steak just for herself!" Linda rushed to tattle.

"You didn't make dinner?" Ryan frowned, asking Linda.

Linda didn't answer, lowering her head and retreating to the kitchen. In no time, a feast was laid out on the table, and she called Ryan to eat.

"If you're not coming home, this food isn't for me. Half a sandwich is all I get," I said, looking at the mother and son pair with my arms crossed, waiting to see what would happen next.

"You didn't ask me if there was food. By the time I came out, you had already ordered," Linda lied, her expression unnatural.

"Can you two please stop? I've had a long day, my legs are so stiff I can barely bend them. Please..." Ryan slammed his plate on the table and headed upstairs.

Linda glanced at me, then ran back to her room crying.

I felt like there was a stone pressing on my chest, making it hard to breathe.

Were they ganging up to bully me now?

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