Running Away From My Treacherous Wife

"Wade, look at the news!"

My mother-in-law's sharp voice startled me so much that my game controller slipped from my hands.

I quickly grabbed my phone and checked the trending headlines on Instagram.

[New York socialite Rianne Scott splurges on a luxury yacht for Finn Cooper, sparking rumors of a high-profile romance.]

Rianne was my wife, and I was her live-in husband.

When we got married, she had promised that even though I was moving into her family, she would stay loyal.

But after we tied the knot, scandal after scandal surfaced about her. Every time, she brushed them off as mere publicity stunts, scolding me for being overly sensitive.

I loved her—loved her enough to give up my career for her, and enough to sever ties with my own family.

But in the end, she still spent a fortune on some young actor.

I let out a bitter laugh, ready to close my phone—until another headline caught my eye.

"You should check the news too," I deadpanned as I turned to my mother-in-law, my expression was filled with sympathy.

Allison, my mother-in-law, who was three years younger than me, picked up her phone. Immediately, her expression darkened.

[New York business tycoon Lincoln Scott spotted watching the sunrise in the Maldives with his new lover.]

Lincoln was my father-in-law.

Allison and I exchanged glances.

We had both reached the same conclusion.

——

"I'm done being a second option!"

I gritted my teeth and shut off my phone.

Before, no matter how many rumors swirled around Rianne, they had always been fleeting. This time, however, she had actually gifted Finn a yacht.

It was obvious—this wasn’t just a game anymore.

And then, I saw Finn's latest Instagram post.

He had uploaded a photo.

Rianne was sitting on a plush bed. Even though it was only her back, I recognized her immediately. That alluring curve of her waist was unmistakable.

His caption? [No regrets in this lifetime.]

I was about to comment when Allison grabbed my hand.

"If you start a fight now, do you think Rianne will let you walk away unscathed?" She frowned, her delicate brows knitting together.

Allison was Rianne’s stepmother, the young trophy wife Lincoln had married four years ago.

Even though she was three years younger than me, she was far more cunning.

I looked at her blankly. "Mom, what are you suggesting?"

Addressing her as "Mom" always felt weird.

She thought for a moment before speaking. "I have three billion. How much do you have?"

"Uh… about five hundred thousand."

The difference between a live-in husband and a pampered young wife was painfully clear.

Lincoln truly spoiled Allison, giving her access to an enormous fortune.

She pondered for a moment before saying, "You create a mess. I'll move the money. Then, we run away together."

"Alright." I nodded, then hesitated. "You won’t just take the money and ditch me, right?"

She smirked. "Relax. I see you as my own son."

Allison and I had always gotten along well.

Rianne and Lincoln were constantly busy—work, business meetings, social events, so they rarely came home.

That left just the two of us—one unwanted live-in husband and one disregarded young wife. The Scott family didn’t like us making public appearances, so we spent most of our time together.

We were close in age, had similar personalities, and actually got along. I was the comedic type; she was lively and mischievous.

In fact, we had been through life-and-death situations together.

Once, when we went grocery shopping, we were ambushed by enemies of the Scott family. Armed men chased us down with knives.

I grabbed two blades and fought them off, shielding Allison until the police arrived.

After that, she started treating me even better. But being the playful person she was, when she took care of me in the hospital, she would always joke, "Don’t worry, my dear eldest son. Your wife may be off fooling around, but your mother will take good care of you."