WRETCHED BUT MADE SON IN-LAW

CHAPTER TWO:THE HUMILIATION

The next morning, Ethan woke up with a heavy heart. The echoes of Amelia and Richard's laughter from the night before lingered in his mind. Determined to confront the situation, he approached the breakfast table where Amelia sat, sipping her coffee.

Ethan said calmly, "Amelia, we need to talk about what happened last night."

Amelia looked up, her expression indifferent. She took a sip of her coffee before responding.

She replied casually, "Oh, that. It was just a bit of fun, Ethan. No need to make a big deal out of it."

Ethan said firmly, "This is a big deal, Amelia. Our marriage is falling apart, and your actions are making it worse."

She responded mockingly, "Marriage? Please, Ethan. It's just a piece of paper. And don't pretend you didn't enjoy the good life I gave you."

Ethan said seriously, "It's not about the good life, Amelia. It's about trust and respect. I won't accept being treated like this."

Amelia rolled her eyes and continued sipping her coffee, dismissing Ethan's concerns.

He persisted, "We need to figure this out. I won't let our marriage end like this."

She impatiently said, "Oh, spare me the drama, Ethan. You're making a scene over nothing."

Despite Amelia's dismissive attitude, Ethan pressed on, trying to engage in a meaningful conversation.

He reflected, "Remember when we first met? We were happy, and I thought we had something special."

She responded disinterestedly, "That was a long time ago, Ethan. Things change."

Ethan passionately said, "But we can change them back. We can work on our marriage, communicate, and fix the problems."

Amelia sarcastically replied, "Fix? There's nothing to fix. You're just not enough for me, Ethan."

Hurt by her words, Ethan took a deep breath, trying to keep his composure.

He said calmly, "I deserve better, Amelia. I won't let you disrespect me like this. It's over."

Amelia looked at him, a mixture of annoyance and amusement on her face.

She smirked, "Fine, Ethan. If that's what you want, then leave. You were never on my level anyway."

The breakfast table was a battleground of unspoken tension. Amelia and her family, seated across from Ethan, exchanged knowing glances as he cautiously picked at his food. The clinking of silverware echoed in the strained atmosphere.

Amelia, mocking, said, "Ethan, dear, is the food not up to your gourmet standards this morning?"

Trying to maintain composure, Ethan replied quietly, "It's fine, Amelia."

Amelia's brother, James, joined in with a smirk, "Fine? I thought a renowned chef like you would have higher standards. Maybe we should hire a professional to handle the kitchen."

The stifled laughs from the family intensified as Ethan felt the weight of their collective judgment. Mrs. Scooper chimed in, her tone dripping with condescension.

Mrs. Scooper remarked, "You know, Ethan, back in our social circles, we're used to a certain level of sophistication. Perhaps you're just not accustomed to it."

Clenching his fork, Ethan chose to remain silent, knowing that any response would only fuel their amusement. The dismissive attitude at the breakfast table continued, with each passing minute amplifying the sense of isolation.

Following breakfast, Amelia handed Ethan a detailed list of errands, her instructions laced with mockery.

Amelia said, "Don't forget, Ethan, we have standards to uphold. Make sure you get the exact brand of coffee and the freshest produce. We can't have any mistakes, can we?"

Nodding reluctantly, Ethan took the list, acutely aware of the humiliation embedded in each task. As he left the house to fulfill the errands, Amelia's parting words lingered in the air.

Amelia added, "And do try to be inconspicuous. We wouldn't want anyone seeing the family's lowly chef running errands, would we?"

The door closed behind him, leaving Ethan to navigate the city streets with a heavy heart. The once-familiar routine of grocery shopping now felt like a public display of subservience, with every passing stranger a potential witness to his diminished status.

In the evening, guests began to arrive for a small gathering at the house. The atmosphere was thick with tension as Amelia seized the opportunity to publicly embarrass Ethan.

A guest inquired, "Ethan, I heard you're quite the chef. Do you have any specialties?"

Seizing the moment, Amelia interjected with a sly smile.

Amelia said, "Oh, Ethan is indeed a chef, but you know, his talents are more suited to the mundane. Don't expect anything extraordinary, like you'd find in a proper restaurant."

His cheeks flushing with embarrassment, Ethan attempted to deflect the criticism.

Ethan replied, "I enjoy cooking a variety of dishes. It's about bringing people together through food."

Scoffing, Amelia responded, "Well, that's a quaint way to put it. But let's not exaggerate, shall we? Ethan is good at what he does, but let's not confuse him with a Michelin-starred chef."

The guests exchanged awkward glances, unsure of how to respond to the awkward exchange. Amelia, reveling in the discomfort she created, continued to chip away at Ethan's self-esteem.

As the evening unfolded, Ethan became the unwitting centerpiece of Amelia's orchestrated performance, each word carefully chosen to reinforce the narrative of his supposed inadequacy. The once-vibrant chef now felt like a mere shadow of his former self, ensnared in a web of public humiliation crafted by the woman he had once called his wife.

One day, as the cycle of Ethan's humiliation continued, the tension reached a boiling point. The air in the house felt thick with animosity as Amelia, fueled by her relentless desire to exert control, lashed out at Ethan in a moment of unchecked aggression.

"Ethan, how many times do I have to tell you? You can't do anything right!"

Trying to keep his composure, Ethan replied, "Amelia, I'm doing my best. Can't we talk about this calmly?"

But calmness was a foreign concept to Amelia at this point. Her frustration escalated, and in a fit of anger, she raised her hand and slapped Ethan across the face. The room fell silent as the sharp sound of the slap echoed.

Seething with rage, Amelia turned to Sarah, her friend who had been witnessing the scene unfold. Sarah, who had never supported Amelia's mistreatment of Ethan, couldn't hide her shock and disapproval.

"Amelia, that's enough! You can't treat Ethan like this. It's not right."

Realizing that her actions had gone too far, Amelia attempted to justify herself.

"He deserves it, Sarah. He's been nothing but a disappointment."

Sarah, sternly, replied, "No one deserves to be treated like that. You're crossing a line, and you know it."

Nursing his stinging cheek, Ethan interjected, "Sarah's right, Amelia. This has to stop."

But Amelia, unwilling to concede, retorted, "You're both against me? Fine! Maybe you deserve each other."

The atmosphere in the room remained tense as Sarah, conflicted but resolute in her stance, stood up for what she believed was right. Ethan, feeling a mix of pain and gratitude, found an unexpected ally in Sarah.