Rise Of The Broken Son-in-law

Let me heal you

Ethan’s eyes locked on Kelvin Stones, and for a moment the world blurred around him.

It was no secret the man carried a torch for Lila—he bragged about it openly, boasting to anyone foolish enough to listen. Ethan had crossed paths with him twice before, back when his own voice was shackled in silence, and both times he had wished he could cut Kelvin’s tongue from his mouth.

And yet, as much as Ethan had despised Lila over the years, she was the only constant in his life. The only person he knew. That was why jealousy had once burned through him whenever Kelvin’s name was spoken.

But no one adored Kelvin Stones more than Lyndia. She worshipped him like a golden calf, always scheming, always whispering poison into her daughter’s ears. Not once, not twice, but countless times she had urged Lila to divorce the “mute burden” and run to Kelvin.

And still, Lila hadn’t. Ethan had been shocked back then, and even more so each time she stood her ground.

“I don’t like Kelvin,” Lila would say, her voice firm but weary. “Stop pushing me, Mother. We are not fit. He and I—we were never meant for each other.”

Those words had silenced Ethan in private, though he never let them show on his face. They meant more than he dared admit.

But now… now, as Ethan’s gaze bored into Kelvin, there was nothing left of that jealousy. He felt nothing but cold indifference. If Lila wanted Kelvin, she could have him. Soon, Ethan would divorce her anyway. All he needed was the right way out.

The tension cracked when Lyndia’s voice cut through the air.

“What are you doing here, Ethan?” she snapped, her eyes narrowing like daggers. “This is business. You should not be here.”

Kelvin smirked, leaning back with arrogance dripping from his posture.

“So this is allowed?” he scoffed. “Lila, is your lazy husband now free to barge in whenever he pleases? Put him on a leash, or your business will crumble around you.”

Ethan’s fist twitched.

But before he could speak, Lila’s voice rang out, sharper than he expected.

“Enough, Kelvin. Stay out of this.” She turned, facing Ethan directly, her eyes filled with a strange mix of worry and authority. “We’ll talk when we get home, Ethan. Right now, I am in the middle of business. Please… wait for me at home.”

Her words weren’t harsh, but firm. Lila hated—hated—when people disrespected her husband in her presence. For all her coldness at times, she was still bound to him through the fragile thread of their marriage.

But the moment shattered when Elizabeth’s voice cut across the room like glass shattering.

“You heard her!” she screamed, eyes blazing. “Leave, Ethan. Now!”

Mia’s voice cracked the air like thunder.

“What is the meaning of this?!” she snapped, slamming her palm against the polished oak table so hard the glasses rattled. Her eyes narrowed at the cluster of faces before her. “Are we having a family meeting right now, or is this supposed to be business?”

Lila flinched. “No—no, Miss Mia, that’s not it.” She hesitated, her hands fluttering uselessly at her sides before she forced them to rest gently over Mia’s trembling one. “I’m telling you, we’ve never had issues like this before. Yours is the first case… the only case.”

Mia’s lip curled. “So you’re telling me you don’t even know what to do about this?” She jabbed a finger at her own face, pulling the hair away to reveal the angry red blotches spreading across her skin. Acne. Swollen, lumpy, raw spots dotted her flawless beauty like scars of shame. “Look at me! I’ve never looked like this in my entire life. And this—this is your fault, Lila Clark!” She spat the name like venom. “Mark my words, I’m going to bring this company down so hard you’ll never have a comeback.”

Gasps rose from the room.

Kelvin raised both hands, a thin placating smile tugging at his lips. “If Miss Mia doesn’t mind,” he drawled smoothly, “I have a suggestion that might help this whole situation.”

The Clark family turned toward him, hope sparking in their eyes. Mia, however, crossed her arms and glared at him in cold disdain. “Say it, then.”

Kelvin leaned back lazily. “There’s a guaranteed cosmetic procedure—run by a very close friend of mine. It’s flawless, discreet, and effective. My company, Everglow Aesthetics, will bear the entire cost. You’ll be good as new in no time.”

The words had barely left his mouth when Mia shoved her chair back with a violent scrape and slammed both palms down, her voice trembling with fury. “How dare you?” she hissed, her face flushing redder than her blemishes.

Ethan could see it in her—pure, unfiltered rage.

“You think I’m fake?” Mia roared, pointing at Kelvin like she wanted to tear him apart. “You think I’d let some butcher cut into me, pump me full of toxins, and call it beauty? Do you think I’m that cheap? That desperate?!” Her words came sharp, the kind shouted by people who loathed cosmetic surgery: plastic doll, fake skin, artificial beauty, soulless mask.

Lila shot forward instantly, standing between them. “Miss Mia, please forgive him. If Kelvin has spoken out of line, I’m deeply sorry. I promise you—we will find another solution.”

But Mia looked impatience. Her foot tapped against the marble floor like a ticking clock. “And how do you plan to do that?” she demanded. “Tell me, Lila, how will you cure me?”

Lila faltered. “It may require our evaluation team to fully analyze the situation, test the products, and then—”

Mia cut her off with a sharp laugh, throwing her head back. “Evaluation? Testing? You expect me to wait weeks while my reputation is dragged through the mud? No. I want my face cured now. Do you understand? Now! You’ve ruined me, Lila Clark. You’ve tarnished my image. And very soon—you’ll be receiving a letter from my lawyer.”

“Please—” Lila began desperately, but her words were swallowed as another voice cut the air.

Ethan.

He stepped forward, planting himself firmly between Mia and the others. The room froze, eyes swinging toward him in shock.

Mia tilted her head, strands of her sleek hair sliding down as she regarded him coldly. “And what’s this? Are you trying to stop me too?”

“No,” Ethan said simply. His voice, rough and steady, sent a ripple of disbelief through the room.

“Better.” Mia sniffed. “Then step aside.”

But Ethan didn’t move. Not an inch.

Instead, his eyes locked on hers, calm yet unyielding. “If I have a solution,” he said, voice carrying a weight none had heard from him before, “a way to cure you—will you drop the charges against the Clark family?”

Gasps erupted. Lyndia’s hand flew to her mouth. Elizabeth froze mid-breath. Even Kelvin’s smirk faltered.

Mia blinked, then let out a sharp, mocking laugh. “Do you even know who I am?” she sneered. “My brother is Gideon Stark—the richest man in this city. If you dare to play games with me and fail, I promise you, this family will go down the drain.”

But Ethan didn’t flinch. He stepped closer, the air around him heavy with newfound authority.

“I’m not playing with you,” he said, his voice like steel. “Give me the chance to heal you. Forget this ever happened. Drop the charges against the Clarks, and everyone walks away happy.”