THE DISGRACED HUSBAND IS A BILLIONAIRE

09: THE MOTHER IN LAW

George clenched his bleeding hand, his chest tightening. Without another word, he turned away and walked toward the kitchen, anger simmering beneath his silence.

Behind him, Madam Josefina remained in the living room, her presence is heavy. She says another bad thing to George but he never mind it.

At the sink, George turned on the faucet and let the cold water run over his wounded fingers. Blood swirled down the drain, but the sting did little to distract him from the echo of her words.

Murderer? He shut his eyes tightly. But before he could gather himself, a hurried footsteps approached.

“George!”

Selene’s voice broke through the tension as she rushed into the kitchen.

“What happened this time? What did you say to Mom?” Her tone carried suspicion.

George looked at her, disbelief flickering in his eyes. “I didn’t say anything to her.”

“She just came to visit us,” Selene continued, her brows furrowed. “She’s concerned about this family. So why were you yelling at her?”

George let out a slow breath, forcing himself to remain calm despite the frustration rising inside him. He turned fully toward her and raised his injured hand.

"Selene, again.I didn’t say anything. And I didn’t do anything to your mother.” He said quietly.

Selene’s gaze dropped to his hand. Her expression changed instantly. Seeing that his fingers were swollen, the skin reddened and bruised, a thin line of blood still visible.

“If that’s true… then why do you have that bruise?” she asked, confusion replacing the accusations.

George hesitated. “Ah… it’s just… I was placing the..” His words were cut short as Madam Josefina entered the kitchen.

“You should get a divorce.”

Silence fell like a heavy curtain. Both George and Selene froze. Selene’s lips parted, her eyes widening in disbelief as she slowly turned toward her mother.

“M-Mom… what did you say?”

Madam Josefina stood straight, her expression is strong enough to fight for the safety of her daughter and grandson.

“What, Selene? Are you hesitating because you still love that man?” she snapped.

Selene straightened. "My husband is already died, eight years ago"

Hearing those words, George's heart felt being grinded by the grinder.. As if he had totally died in the hands of these two women.

“A useless, and a murderer. Selene, in three days from now, I need to see the signed divorce paper of yours!" Madam Josefina ordered.

Her voice rose, and the word "murderer" hung in the air again, like air pollution in this house.

"Mom. I apologize if..." George stop.

"Don't call me Mom! I can't accept you as my son in law. I better push my daughter to marry someone that is more worthy than you!" Madam Josefina said. She truly believe in her words, base on what she hears.

For a brief moment, George’s vision blurred, and he was pulled back into memory.

It was the night before their wedding.

Madam Josefina had collapsed, gasping for air as an asthma attack seized her. Hospital after hospital turned them away... no available slots, no immediate care. Selene had been frantic, her hands trembling, her voice breaking as she begged for help.

George couldn’t bear to see her like that. So he acted. He made a call, a desperate one to the owner of a private hospital. He pleaded and negotiated. Until his request was granted, the emergency room had slot. So George paid for everything. The bills, the medicines. Every treatment. Including their wedding.

Later, Madam Josefina had asked who helped them for her treatment, but George only smiled, and said it was from a kind heart and helping hands.

George never told them who it was.. but they never asked.

Presently;

“Mom,” Selene said, her voice trembling but steady, “what you’re asking… it’s not that simple. Gabriel is grown now. He needs his father.”

George looked at her, something warm flickering in his chest. For the first time of that day, he felt being seen to her.

“Need?” Madam Josefina scoffed. “Don’t you know your son is being bullied at school? When they found out his murderer's father is still alive!”

The words hit both of them like a storm. George stiffened. Selene’s face went pale. They looked at each other... fear, worry, and heartbreak reflected in both their eyes.

“Gabriel…” Selene whispered.

She didn't know yet, but she can imagine how hard it is, to experiences the bullying? She herself had experienced it when she was in high school days. Physically and emotionally it had a caused her like a trauma. Because way back in those days, her family was poor.

After taking a deep breath, Selene gently reached for her mother’s arm.

“Come on, Mom,” she said softly. “Let’s go to the living room. You need to rest. You shouldn’t stress yourself.”

Her voice was calm, but her eyes lingered on George for a moment, uncertainty, but they knew this as a new conflict will arise between them.

As the two women walked away, George remained in the kitchen. He wrapped a bandage around his injured fingers, his movements slow and careful. Then,, he began preparing a snack. Made from natural and fresh oranges and cool cucumber. He blended them together into a light, refreshing juice. It is their favorite. He remembered the first time he had visited their small house, years ago.. when he was just a man in love, trying to win Selene’s heart. He had learned then what she and her mother liked, memorizing the small details as if they were treasures.

But now, he was standing alone in the kitchen, where those memories felt distant. Almost like they belonged to someone else.

George placed the glasses on a tray, staring at them for a long moment.

Then quietly, he whispered to himself.. "Welcome to the real world self…"