Looking at this pack of greedy faces, the fire in my chest burned hotter and hotter.
So this was Claire’s so-called apology—using me as a scapegoat, morally blackmailing me in front of everyone.
I put down my chopsticks and stood up.
“Ladies and gentlemen, there must be a misunderstanding.”
“Everything you just said—I never agreed to any of it. I won’t pay a single cent, and I won’t let you take anything from me.”
Ryan’s face changed instantly.
He smashed a teacup to the ground and pointed at me, roaring:
“You dare play me for a fool?! You shameless man! You dare go back on your word in front of everyone?!”
The relatives’ expressions soured, whispering and pointing fingers.
“What’s wrong with this kid?”
“Can’t keep his word?”
“Claire, what kind of boyfriend did you find?”
Claire panicked, tugging at my arm.
“Ethan, stop making a scene—everyone’s watching.”
I yanked my arm free, laughing coldly.
“Claire, I trusted you this one last time because of our past. And you? You set me up with a public ambush.”
“From now on, if you dare come looking for me again, don’t blame me for taking back everything I ever gave you.”
I turned and left.
That night, just after I finished my shower, the doorbell rang.
Through the peephole, I saw Claire holding the baby, Ryan behind her with a huge suitcase.
I ignored them.
But the next second, I heard a key turning in the lock.
Damn it—I forgot to take back the spare key I’d given Claire.
The door opened and Ryan swaggered in, announcing brazenly:
“Since you won’t pay for the retreat, I’ll just live here. You can take care of me and the baby.”
He turned to Claire and commanded:
“Claire, change the sheets in the master bedroom. Ethan’s sleeping on the couch tonight.”
My blood pressure spiked. “This is my house! You can’t just—”
Before I could finish, Ryan was already striding into my bedroom.
He opened my closet and started pulling out my designer watches and suits.
“These things are too flashy. I’ll keep them safe for you.”
“Put them down!”
I lunged forward to stop him, but Claire held me back.
“Ethan, we’re family—don’t be so petty.”
I was about to argue when I saw Ryan pick up my father’s photo from the nightstand, a look of disgust on his face.
“Who keeps this creepy stuff in the bedroom? Such bad luck.”
He raised his hand, ready to throw it into the trash.
My blood boiled over.
“Stop!”
I broke free from Claire with all my strength and rushed to snatch the photo back.
Ryan suddenly dropped to the ground, screaming dramatically.
“Help! He hit me!”
“Claire, you saw it! I treated him like my real brother-in-law and he actually laid hands on me!”
Claire hurried over and pushed me hard.
Caught off guard, I stumbled back and crashed into the corner of the wall. Pain shot through my back.
Instead of checking on me, Claire crouched down next to Ryan.
“Ryan, are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?”
Ryan clutched his waist, groaning.
“My back… I think he broke my back.”
“Don’t worry, Ryan. I’ll get you to bed.”
She comforted him softly, then turned back to me, her expression ice-cold.
“Ethan, go stay somewhere else for a few days. Wait until Ryan calms down.”
I let out a short, bitter laugh.
“Claire, this is my house.”
My words seemed to ignite her rage.
Her eyes went red as she screamed—
