WRETCHED BUT MADE SON IN-LAW

Chapter One: Betrayal

Ethan sighed as he stirred the pot on the stove. The rich aroma of simmering soup filled the air. Amelia lounged on the couch, scrolling through her phone without a care.

"Amelia, the soup is ready," Ethan announced, hoping for a moment of acknowledgment.

She glanced up briefly. "Whatever, Ethan. Just serve it already."

Amelia being a rich lady, looks really good with her brown hair and fancy clothes. She grew up in a super rich family where being important was the most important thing. This made her think she was better than everyone else. Amelia treats people badly because she thinks they're not as good as her.

When she was a kid, her family had lots of money and didn't have to worry about problems. This made her think she could do whatever she wanted. But inside, Amelia feels unsure about herself and wants to control everything. 

Suppressing his frustration, Ethan plated the soup and carried it to the living room. Amelia barely looked at the food, engrossed in her phone.

"Ethan," she said casually, "I'll need you to run to the market. We're having guests tonight."

Guests? Ethan wondered who they could be. He nodded, resigned. "Sure, Amelia. What do you need?"

She handed him a shopping list. "Get everything on this. And don't mess it up. Richard loves the lobster risotto, so make sure it's perfect."

"Richard? Who's Richard?" Ethan questioned, perplexed.

Amelia chuckled condescendingly. "Don't be dense, Ethan. Just get what I asked. And on your way back, buy some condoms. You know, just in case."

Ethan's eyes widened. "Condoms? For what Purpose? Amelia,

I'm having a guest tonight Ethan" "you have no right to question me. Amelia chipped in

 this has to stop. I can't keep doing this." Ethan revoked

Rolling her eyes, she retorted, "Oh, please. You're just a lowly cook. Who else would want you? Now, do as you're told, or there will be consequences."

"I'm not your servant, Amelia. This has to stop. I won't be a part of this anymore," Ethan declared, frustration boiling over.

Amelia scoffed. "You're replaceable, Ethan. Remember that."

With those words hanging in the air, Ethan left for the market, determined to break free from the degrading cycle of servitude. Little did he know, this trip to the market would unravel the threads of his marriage and set in motion a chain of events that would redefine his life.

Ethan stormed through the crowded market, the weight of Amelia's demands pressing on him. As he navigated the aisles, he couldn't shake off the humiliation of being ordered to buy condoms for his wife's affair. He clenched his fists, determined to confront Amelia and put an end to this charade.

At the checkout counter, Ethan hesitated before placing the box of condoms on the conveyor belt. The cashier raised an eyebrow but said nothing. The embarrassment burned in Ethan's cheeks as he paid and exited the store.

Back home, the atmosphere was tense. Amelia and Richard were deep in conversation, oblivious to Ethan's return. Determined to confront his wife, he entered the living room, holding the bag of groceries.

"Amelia, we need to talk," Ethan declared, his voice steady.

She looked at him, annoyance evident in her eyes. "Can't it wait? Richard and I are discussing something important."

Ignoring her dismissal, Ethan continued, "This is getting out of hand, Amelia. I won't be part of your deception any longer." a smirk playing on his lips. "Who invited the help to the conversation?"

Richard was a renowned successful business man, a very  big and strong man. He's tall and looks powerful. He stands straight and moves with confidence. Richard has a strong jaw and eyes that make him seem in charge. He looks like someone important and successful in a simple way glanced at. 

Ignoring Richard, Ethan pressed on. "I won't cook for you, buy condoms, or tolerate this betrayal any longer. I'm done."

Amelia laughed, a cold, mocking sound. "You think you can just walk away, Ethan? You're nothing without us."

Ethan's resolve hardened. "We'll see about that."

In the kitchen, as Ethan stirred the soup, feeling a lump in his throat. He couldn't ignore the distant sounds of moaning coming from his bedroom, where Amelia and her lover are having a moment of ecstasy. His eyes welled up, and he sighed.

"Ethan, what's the matter?" Mrs. Scooper asked, entering the kitchen.

Ethan, teary, replied, "Mrs. Scooper, I can't take this anymore. Amelia's cheating on me, and sleeping with a strange man in our matrimonial bed, the worse part is that she treats me like I'm nothing."

She gave an impatient sigh, "Oh, stop being so dramatic, Ethan. Amelia deserves someone better than you. You're just a cook, after all."

Ethan, upset, pleaded, "But I'm her husband! I can't keep cooking while she does this to me don't I deserve some respect as her husband?. It's not fair."

Mrs. Scooper, dismissive, said, "Ethan, you're nobody to question her. This is how it is. Just do your job and stay out of her business."

Frustrated, Ethan replied, "But Mrs. Scooper, I deserve respect too. I can't just pretend everything is okay."

Mrs. Scooper, coldly, stated, "Respect is earned, Ethan. You haven't earned anything. Just focus on being a good cook and stop bothering us with your problems."

Overwhelmed and hurt, Ethan returned to the kitchen, the sounds of betrayal echoing in his ears. Mrs. Scooper's cold dismissal lingered, leaving Ethan feeling more alone than ever in his struggle against the mistreatment.

Ethan was still in the kitchen, making food, when suddenly, Amelia and Richard burst out of the bedroom, laughing really loud. They seemed happy, but Ethan felt sad.

Amelia laughed, "Haha, that was fun! Richard, you're amazing."

Richard replied, "You're not too bad yourself, Amelia. So, who's the best you've had?"

Amelia grinned, "Oh, there have been a few. But you're definitely up there."

Ethan, feeling helpless, overheard their conversation and couldn't believe what he was hearing. It hurt him to know his wife was talking about her experiences with another man.

Softly, he said, "This is so wrong..."

But Amelia and Richard just kept laughing, not paying any attention to how Ethan felt. It was a moment that made Ethan feel small and unimportant.