The Humiliated Son-In-Law's Revenge

Chapter 10

Daryl had been in the hospital for several days. Throughout those days, the Andersons visited him regularly — almost like clockwork. But even more than that, his own parents barely left his side, their worry keeping them rooted there.

“Next time, don’t ever do something like that again, okay? You scared me half to death!” Marissa’s voice was still filled with anxiety, even though she’d said this same thing more times than Daryl could count.

Daryl forced a weak smile. “I’m okay now, Ma. I made it through.”

“For now, yes. But what about next time? Maybe you should… reconsider joining the police force.”

Daryl and his father, Henry, exchanged a glance.

“Ma…” Daryl’s voice was gentle, but firm.

Henry cleared his throat, stepping in before Marissa could press the issue further. “Marissa, don’t be like that. This is your son’s dream — to serve as a civil servant. This kind of danger… it’s part of the job.”

Marissa clutched her chest, her eyes filled with fear as they flickered toward her husband. “But what’s the point of a dream if it means we might lose our son, Henry? I don’t want to lose him!”

Daryl sighed, his heart heavy with both love and frustration. Reaching for his mother’s hand, he gave it a gentle squeeze, his fingers brushing comfortingly against her skin. It had been so long since he’d felt this kind of concern from his mother — and despite the circumstances, it warmed something inside him.

“I’ll be fine, Ma. I’m not going anywhere, I promise.”

“Of course! He takes after me, after all!” Henry joked, his attempt at lightening the mood bringing a reluctant chuckle out of Daryl.

Marissa just rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “You two… honestly.”

As Daryl watched his parents bicker playfully from either side of his hospital bed, a deep sense of contentment filled him. This was what he’d missed most — the warmth of their love, their unwavering support. Through every hardship he’d endured in the Williams’ household, it had been thoughts of his parents that kept him going.

But their brief moment of joy was interrupted when the door swung open, and a familiar figure rushed inside.

“Daryl! Oh my God, are you okay?” Samantha’s voice was high-pitched with worry as she hurried to his bedside, her hands immediately reaching to cup his face, her touch soft and frantic.

Daryl blinked in surprise. “Samantha? What are you doing here?”

Before she could answer, Marissa stood up from her chair, looking slightly sheepish. “Ah… I called Samantha earlier, before we left the house. I thought she already knew what happened to you, but… she didn’t.”

Daryl stared at his mother in disbelief. He hadn’t expected her to call Samantha — not after everything that had happened.

“I came as soon as I heard, Daryl! I was so worried!” Samantha said, her eyes wide and glistening. “Have they caught the people who did this to you?”

Daryl looked away. “Not yet. But the police are handling the investigation.”

Samantha settled into the chair beside him, her presence both familiar and overwhelming. “Good. Don’t worry — I’ll tell my dad about this. He’ll make sure they catch whoever did this—”

“You don’t have to do that, Samantha,” Daryl cut in sharply, his voice quiet but firm. “The police are already doing their job.”

The last thing he wanted was to owe Samantha’s family anything. He’d had enough of their interference.

Sensing the sudden tension, Marissa gently nudged Henry and nodded toward the door. “Ah… we’ll step out for a bit. Give you two some privacy.”

Daryl wanted to protest, to ask them to stay — but he knew it wouldn’t change anything. So instead, he just nodded, watching helplessly as his parents slipped out of the room.

The moment the door clicked shut, Samantha turned back to him, her expression filled with hurt. “You shouldn’t talk to me like that, Daryl. I don’t care what my parents say — I needed to be here. I needed to know you were okay.”

He sighed, his heart heavy with guilt and frustration. “You shouldn’t have come, Samantha. You know your parents will only get angry when they find out you visited me.”

Samantha’s face crumpled, and the sight of her tears made his chest ache. “I don’t care, Daryl. Why are you pushing me away like this? I thought… I thought you were going to prove yourself to them. I thought you loved me.”

His hands curled into fists at his sides. If things had been different — if he didn’t know what the future held — he would have fought for her. He would have gone to war with her family if it meant being by her side.

He had loved her that much… once.

“I do love you, Samantha,” he said softly. “But what else can we do? Your family will never accept me. You know that.”

Tears spilled down Samantha’s cheeks as she reached for his hand, clutching it tightly. “You don’t know that, Daryl. Yes, my dad is hard to please, but he’ll come around — I know he will. Please… don’t give up on us.”

For a long moment, Daryl just stared at her, his heart torn. He wanted to believe her — wanted so badly to hold onto the hope she offered. But reality had a way of being cruel, and he knew better than to believe in dreams that would only shatter.

But before he could respond, the door burst open once again.

This time, it was Carmen — Samantha’s mother — who stepped inside, her eyes narrowing the moment they landed on Daryl.

“What is the meaning of this?” Carmen’s voice was sharp and accusing, her gaze flicking to their joined hands with barely concealed disdain. “Samantha, what are you doing here? Haven’t I told you to stay away from him?”

Samantha’s grip on his hand tightened. “Mom, please—”

“Don’t start, Samantha!” Carmen snapped, her eyes flashing. “I won’t have you throwing your future away for… this.”

Daryl felt the familiar sting of humiliation, the weight of Carmen’s judgment crashing down on him like a wave. But this time, he didn’t flinch. He didn’t look away.

“Mrs. Williams,” he said, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside him. “I don’t want to cause any problems between you and your daughter. If my presence here is an issue, I’ll ask Samantha to leave.”

But Samantha shook her head fiercely, her tears falling faster. “No! I’m not leaving you, Daryl! I love you!”

Carmen’s face hardened. “Then you’re a fool, Samantha. And if you stay here, you’ll only regret it.”

Daryl felt the words like a slap, but he forced himself to stay calm. This wasn’t the first time Carmen had tried to tear them apart — and he knew it wouldn’t be the last.

But as much as it hurt, he couldn’t let Samantha keep fighting this losing battle.

“Maybe… your mom’s right,” he whispered, his heart breaking with every word. “Maybe it’s time we stop pretending this will ever work.”

“No…” Samantha’s voice cracked, her fingers tightening around his hand as if letting go would shatter them both. “Please, Daryl—”

But Carmen was already pulling her away, her grip ironclad.

“Let him go, Samantha! Stop begging for someone like him!” Carmen said coldly. “He is nothing!”