The Betrayed Son in Law Rise to Influence

Chapter 2

The small box was a pitch-black, old-looking cracked wooden box that looked cheap. Had Simon given that gift in front of all the guests at the birthday celebration, it would have been a huge embarrassment to the Katherine family. That’s why Mrs. Katherine refused the gift.

Simon was silent when Mrs. Katherine rejected the gift he was about to present. Simon felt so embarrassed that he had to put his head down as he held his gift in his hands.

“Keep the gift. What kind of gift can a poor man like yourself give me?” Mrs. Katherine looked at Simon with disgust.

“I’ll only accept that gift of yours if it’s expensive, but obviously, it isn’t. If it isn’t as expensive as Kev’s gift, hold it and don’t embarrass me and the Katherine family, you poor idiot.” Mrs. Katherine’s perfectly doe-like eyes gleamed as she spat out her harsh words at him.

“Hahaha!” Everyone present at the event burst into a serious fit of laughter after Mrs. Katherine spoke.

Simon was annoyed and furious at all their words because he had spent three weeks without getting much sleep carving this wooden Buddha statue for the matriarch of the Katherine family. But alas, the matriarch didn’t even bother to check what was in the gift box.

Simon held back because he was already used to all this. It’s fine, as long as he still has Ash. The love of his life. The best thing that has happened to him since he lost his parents was meeting Ash.

After the birthday celebrations were over, Simon and Ash went back to their room.

“Ash, it’s a new week already, and you haven’t given me my allowance for the week. Don’t forget about it because I really need it to pay for my foster mother’s hospital bills at the old people’s shed,” Simon said to Ash as she was wiping off her makeup.

Ash looked up and stopped applying her night care routine. She added, “I really thought you would be really downcast and in a bad mood for a long while after all that had happened with my family earlier. But then, this is not your first time.

"You’ve really grown a tough skin. I hope you don’t take those words to heart. They were said for your own benefit. Everyone wants the best for you.”

Regarding the allowance, Ash chuckled and continued, “Just because of $100, you couldn’t even let me finish my night care routine.”

Ash reached into her purse, opened it, and gave Simon a $100 bill. But as she was about to give it to him, her hands suddenly shook, and the money fell to the ground.

Ash then said in a fake sympathetic voice, “I’m so sorry that the money slipped off my hands.”

Simon said, “It’s fine.” He then picked up the money and headed to the living room where he slept.

The next morning, Simon hurriedly went to his foster mother’s hospital.

On arriving at the hospital, the middle-aged receptionist, Ms. Vee, greeted him with a warm smile. “Hi, Mr. Simon. Here to see your mother?”

Simon nodded, his voice low. “Yeah, and I came to settle her hospital bills. I really appreciate you not… ousting her yet, Ms. Vee. Thank you for being patient with me while I raised the money.”

Ms. Vee’s smile softened, her eyes filled with sympathy. “It’s no issue. You have a wonderful mother, Mr. Simon. But…” Her tone shifted, becoming more serious. “There’s something important we need to discuss.”

Simon felt a cold dread creeping up his spine as Ms. Vee continued.

“Your mother is suffering from chronic kidney failure,” she said gently. “She needs a new kidney transplant as soon as possible, along with continuous medication. The insurance doesn’t cover everything, and the procedure costs $100,000.”

Simon inhaled sharply, his hands clutching his head. He felt the familiar sting of helplessness, but he forced himself to stay composed. “I understand. I’ll try my best to raise the money. She’s still doing okay with the medication, right?”

Ms. Vee nodded. “Yes, she is. But time is running out.”

Simon thanked her quietly and asked, “Can I see her now?”

“She’s resting,” Ms. Vee replied, her voice soft. “Better to let her sleep.”

With a heavy sigh, Simon said a silent farewell to his mother and walked out of the hospital, lost in thought. His mind was still on the news—how would he ever come up with that kind of money? He barely had enough to get by as it was.

As he stepped outside, his eyes landed on a bouquet of lilac lilies in a flower shop across the street—Ash’s favorite. A reckless thought crossed his mind. Maybe, just maybe, the flowers could serve as a peace offering after the humiliating incident at her grandmother’s birthday. After all, she also got humiliated for being his wife. It didn’t matter that it would cost him the last of his weekly allowance.

His feet moved before his brain could stop him, and he crossed the street toward the shop. “Hi,” he greeted the shop assistant. “How much for those lilac lilies?”

The shop assistant smiled warmly. “Those are $30, sir.”

Simon sighed inwardly. That was it—his last $30. But he nodded, determined. “I’ll take them,” he said. He needed Ash to see him as a husband that’s really worth her.

As the shop assistant packed the flowers, she smiled again. “Your lover will surely love them, sir.”

“I hope so,” Simon replied with a tight smile.

When he arrived home, he decided he would prepare a romantic dinner.

He got to work, making her favorite—stir-fry pasta and chicken with cheese. Music played softly in the background as he set the table with lit candles, the fresh lilies placed in the center to set the mood. Everything was perfect, and yet, he felt uneasy.

As the hours dragged on, Simon was starting to get tired. Midnight came and went, and still, no sign of Ash. When he heard the doorknob turn, he hurriedly stood up and went to the door, only to see Ash in a drunken state, reeking of alcohol.

“Where have you been?” Simon asked, his voice tight with concern. Ash barely glanced at him, waving him off.

“Did I ask you to do this?” she snapped, her eyes cold as she walked past the untouched dinner. “I’m going to bed. I’ve had a long day.”

Simon’s heart twisted painfully as the realization hit him—his efforts meant nothing to her. She hadn’t even noticed.

But just as he was about to let the silence swallow him, Ash stopped. Her eyes lingered on the burned-out candles and the uneaten food. Guilt flickered across her face, so fleeting Simon almost missed it.

“What’s all this?” she muttered, her voice trembling slightly. “Did I ask for any of this?”

For a moment, Simon felt the sting of rejection, but then Ash’s shoulders slumped, and a quiet sob escaped her lips.

Simon’s anger wavered. Even though Simon was annoyed with her, he loved her too much to ignore her suffering, even for a second.

He asked in a sharp yet gentle tone, “What’s wrong, Ash? You don’t have to feel guilty about the dinner. I did it out of goodwill, not because you forced me. It’s fine. Please stop crying. I don’t like seeing you like this.”

Ash stopped crying, her eyes bloodshot and swollen. She turned to Simon, a small, bittersweet smile forming on her lips. “You’re too good for me, Simon,” she whispered. “I don’t deserve you.”

Then, as if a decision had been made, she added, “But I need your help with something.”

Simon was shocked at her words because this was the first time she had ever spoken like this.

He decided to smile at his excitement and said in a low voice, “It’s fine. Being able to be with you is the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

Simon smiled sadly. He knew she wasn’t praising him for nothing. She wanted something in return. But he still nodded with a kind smile, saying, “Of course, I’m willing to help you with anything you need!”

What she said next shocked him to the core of his bones.

In a shaking and vulnerable voice, with streaks of tears on her face, she said, “Simon, my brother Chris was involved in an accident.”

Simon was shocked and asked if Chris was safe. “I hope he isn’t injured,” he said.

Ash nodded and said in a demure tone, “No, the thing is that he hit someone while driving in a drunken state, and the person died on the spot. The police are on the lookout to arrest him. Simon, please help me. You know Chris is my only younger brother, and he’s still a child.”

This was the first time Ash had said so much to him in one breath. He understood how important this matter was to her.

Simon exhaled the breath he had been holding and said, “I understand you perfectly, but you know, with my record as a former prisoner, it would be very difficult to find a high-paying job.”