She Called Me a Homewrecker,But Her Husband Is My Long-Lost Father

All I did was wash my boss's mug.

His wife threw a cup of hot milk tea in my face.

She shoved me against the wall like a woman possessed

Have you looked in a mirror lately? You actually think you can seduce my husband?

The milk tea scalded my hands, blisters rising across my skin.

I waved my hands frantically, denying everything, but she just kept screaming at me

No wonder your mother's rotting away in a hospital bed. I bet you're the one who made her sick, you shameless little bastard. I hope she drops dead and puts everyone out of their misery!

I gripped the rag in my fist so hard my knuckles went white. The rage was seconds from swallowing me whole.

Then her eyes caught the silver ring peeking out from beneath my collar, and her face twisted into something ugly.

You're even wearing a ring with my husband's initial on it! What more is there to say? You're nothing but a scheming little homewrecker!

She ripped the ring from my neck and ground it under her heel.

That was when the boss walked in.

He didn't spare his wife a single glance. He walked straight to me.

Crouched down. Picked up the mangled ring.

His hands were shaking. His eyes were rimmed red.

And then he called me something I hadn't heard in twenty years.

That morning, a call from the hospital had yanked me out of sleep. A payment reminder.

The voice on the other end was clipped with impatience

You still owe five thousand dollars. If you don't pay up soon, we're cutting off your mother's dialysis.

Mom was asleep beside me, her face pale as paper.

I touched her cheek and whispered back as fast as I could

I'll figure it out. I'll get the money.

I threw on clothes, rushed through brushing my teeth, and headed to the coffee shop where I worked.

I wiped down the tables, but my mind was still running the numbers.

A hundred and twenty thousand dollars for the surgery.

At my current pay, even if I stopped eating and sleeping, it would take years to save that much.

The figure sat on my chest like a boulder, pressing the air out of my lungs.

I sucked in a breath and forced the tears back down.

Kids from poor families don't get the luxury of crying.

That was when the boss's wife, Jacqueline Lawrence, clicked in on her high heels.

She narrowed her eyes and swept the shop corner to corner, like a radar scanning for a target.

From my very first day on the job, she'd had it out for me.

Always finding something to pick apart.

I thought I might get through today unscathed. I was just starting to breathe again.

Then she stormed up to me, holding a mug in the air.

Who told you to touch my husband's mug?

I wrung the rag under the faucet, choosing my words carefully

There were tea stains on the inside. I was just giving it a quick wash.

She grabbed another mug, this one still ringed with grime, and slammed it on the counter

These are a matching set. You washed his but not mine. You did that on purpose, didn't you?

I'm sorry. I didn't notice.

I pressed my lips together, keeping my voice as small as I could.

So you deliberately ignored mine. You just love making my life difficult, don't you!

She snatched a freshly made boba milk tea off the counter and hurled it at me.

I threw my hands up to shield myself. The scalding liquid hit the back of my hand, and blisters swelled across the skin in an angry red cluster.

Jacqueline, I just want to do my job

She wouldn't let me finish. She shoved me into the wall like a woman possessed

Have you looked in a mirror lately? You actually think you can seduce my husband?

I shook my hands in front of me, trying desperately to explain, but she just kept screaming

No wonder your mother's rotting in a hospital bed. I bet you're the one who made her sick, you shameless little bastard!

Rage hit my brain like a wall of fire.

Say whatever you want about me. But don't you dare talk about my mother.

Jacqueline stared at me, stunned for half a second, then her grin stretched wider and meaner

Oh, you're talking back now? Fine. I said what I said. In fact, I hope she drops dead sooner rather than later. Consider that milk tea her funeral offering!

My fists clenched so tight my nails bit into my palms.

But in the end, I let go.

I couldn't lose this job. I didn't dare.

Every dollar I earned was keeping my mother alive.

My head dropped in defeat.

The necklace slipped free from my collar, the silver ring dangling into view.

There was a letter engraved on it.

Faintly legible, a single P.

The moment Jacqueline spotted it, her face darkened all over again.

You have the nerve to wear a ring with my husband's initial on it! What excuse could you possibly have? You're nothing but a homewrecking tramp trying to sleep her way up!

She kicked me square in the chest.

I crumpled to the floor.

Sticky milk tea soaked through my clothes, clinging to my skin.

Jacqueline bent down, reaching for the ring around my neck.

The door swung open. Norman Pruitt walked in.

His gaze swept across the mess on the floor, and his voice cut through the room

Jacqueline, enough! What kind of scene are you making in my shop?

Jacqueline's eyes turned red in an instant, brimming with wounded innocence.

She threw herself against Norman, her voice cracking into a whimper

Honey, thank God you're here. She's been bullying me to death.

She held up her wrist, showing off the faint marks she'd pinched into her own skin.

I was just reminding Odette to do her job properly and not slack off, and she snapped at me and threw hot milk tea in my face!

Norman's gaze passed over Jacqueline and landed on me.

More precisely, on the silver ring hanging from my neck.

When he made out what was engraved there, his whole body flinched.

As if to cover the reaction, he retreated into his office without another word.

All he left behind was a single, detached

Noted.

The way he'd looked at me was strange.

I couldn't quite place it, but I didn't dwell on it.

Jacqueline had a spa appointment. Before she left, she didn't forget to shoot me one last glare.

We're not done. I'll deal with you when I get back.

During the lunch break, Norman appeared in front of me and held out an envelope.

Odette, this is this month's New Employee Excellence Award. Five thousand dollars, cash.

But I'd only been here three months. I was clumsy, always making mistakes.

How could I possibly have won a New Employee Excellence Award?

I opened my mouth to ask.

Norman just patted my shoulder gently

You're a good kid. If you ever need anything, just say the word. I'll make sure you have it.

Something about the way he said it felt off.

But I couldn't turn the money down.

Five thousand dollars was exactly what I needed for my mother's dialysis.

That afternoon, Jacqueline ordered me to haul all the milk tea supplies to the stockroom by myself.

Normally it took several of the guys working together, and even then it took them hours.

She wouldn't let a single person help me.

Consider this your punishment for throwing yourself at the boss yesterday. You don't leave until it's done.

I hauled crates for two solid hours.

My back screamed like it was about to snap in half. I hid in the bathroom, pressing my fists into my lower back.

My phone started buzzing nonstop.

The staff group chat was blowing up.

Jacqueline had posted a long string of messages, every word pointed

Just a friendly reminder to everyone: this shop is a place for honest work.

Some people have other things on their mind. All they think about is climbing into someone's bed to get ahead.

I'd suggest you all keep your distance from a certain someone. Don't let the bad luck rub off.

The replies piled up underneath, every last one falling over itself to grovel

The boss's wife is so right! Some trash will do anything for a shortcut. Absolutely disgusting.

Don't worry, ma'am. If I so much as talk to that person, I'll slap myself across the face!

Got it, got it. Keeping my distance from now on.

At the very end, Jacqueline tagged me directly.

Odette Perez, if I catch you sniffing around my husband one more time, pack your things and get out.

The hostility from every single one of them pricked into me like needles.

Every minute I spent in that shop became its own small agony.

I was steeling myself to go back to work when the hospital called again.

My mother's attending physician delivered the news with audible regret.

Her condition had taken a sharp turn for the worse. There were signs of heart failure.

He urged me to authorize surgery immediately. No more delays.

Otherwise she might not make it through the week.

I leaned against the wall and slid down until I was sitting on the floor.

A low, broken sound escaped my throat, and the tears finally came.

I gave myself five minutes. Five minutes and not a second more.

When the time was up I wiped my face, gathered every scrap of courage I had left, and went to Jacqueline to ask for an advance on my wages.

She was lounging in her office chair.

One leg crossed over the other, painting her toenails red.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

Talked myself into it for what felt like forever.

Finally, my voice shaking, I opened my mouth.

Jacqueline, could I get a few months' wages in advance? My mom's gotten worse. She needs surgery right away

Jacqueline was pressing glitter onto her nails. She didn't even look up. Just let out a short, derisive laugh

Are you sleepwalking? First you go after my husband, now you're coming for my money?

I bowed to her, close to begging

I'm not joking. My mom is on the operating table right now, waiting for the funds to come through!

If you advance me the money, I'll agree to anything. I'll work overtime for free from now on. No, forget that. I'll give up the next few years of my salary entirely!

Your mother dying is none of my business.

She rolled her eyes at me.

She stood to leave.

I wasn't ready to give up. I stepped in front of her.

Please

Get away from me!

Her arm swung hard.

The bottle of nail polish struck my forehead.

Something warm trickled down my temple. Blood.

She sat back down, folded her arms, and smiled. Even the smile was vicious

Your mother's got nothing to do with me. Shouldn't you be asking your father to foot the bill?

Oh, sorry, I forgot. You don't have a father. Your mother spread her legs for some nobody, and you're what crawled out.

Why else would your daddy let her rot like this and let you sell yourself to seduce other women's husbands?

Every drop of blood in my body rushed to my head.

I stared her down, my eyes so red the veins must have been showing

Enough. That's the second time you've insulted my mother.

She swayed to her feet and leaned in close.

You want to glare at me? Try me. I will fire you right here, right now. Then you won't even have a branch left to climb.

Spit flecked my face.

Who do you think you are, expecting me to lend money to the tramp chasing my husband? Say one more word and I'll dock this month's pay too. Every last cent.

So this was what poverty really did. It stripped you of your dignity and left nothing behind.

I clamped a hand over my mouth, ran out, and hid in the break room, crying without making a sound.

My fingers closed around the silver ring hanging from my neck.

The cold metal pressed into my palm.

Dad, where are you?

How could you be this cruel? How could you just abandon Mom and me?

I pulled myself together and got ready to go back to the floor.

But Jacqueline was already there, blocking the break-room door with a crowd of employees behind her.

Odette Perez, don't you move!

My heart dropped.

What's wrong?

Jacqueline's voice was ice

Five thousand dollars is missing from the register. You tell me what's wrong.

My stomach sank and I scrambled to explain

I was hauling stock all day! I never went near the register!

She arched a brow, looking at me like I was dirt

How do we know you didn't sneak over when nobody was looking?

I didn't!

My eyes stung so badly they must have been crimson.

Check the cameras! The footage will prove I was never at the register!

Jacqueline let out a scornful laugh

Sorry, the security cameras just happened to break down today. Nothing recorded since this afternoon. What a coincidence, right?

My blood ran cold.

And I happened to have exactly five thousand dollars on me.

If you're saying you didn't steal it, then you won't mind letting us search you, will you?

Jacqueline pressed closer, step by step

If the money doesn't turn up, that proves you're innocent. Otherwise, you're a thief.

I stared at her in disbelief.

You have no right to search me!

Jacqueline threw her head back and laughed

Either you let us search you, or I call the cops! And when they haul you away, it won't just be jail time for you. That sickly mother of yours can rot in her hospital bed waiting to die!

The mention of my mother twisted something deep in my chest.

If the police took me away, there would be no one left to take care of her.

I clenched the envelope inside my pocket, my palm slick with sweat.

The five thousand dollars in that envelope was from Norman.

If they found it on me,

nothing I said would save me.

But if I refused the search,

they'd call the police.

There was no way out.

Two security guards walked over and seized me by the arms.

I thrashed against them, but it was useless.

Jacqueline reached straight for my pocket.

Don't touch me!

I knocked her hand away.

Crack.

Jacqueline slapped me hard across the face.

My cheek burned white-hot, and blood seeped from the corner of my mouth.

She ripped open my uniform pocket.

The envelope hit the floor.

Red bills fanned out across the tile.

A collective gasp rippled through the room.

Jacqueline snatched the money up and held it high for everyone to see

Exactly five thousand dollars! She stole it from the register!

I didn't! I shook my head over and over. Mr. Pruitt gave me that money. It was a New Employee Excellence Award!

Jacqueline looked at me like I'd told the funniest joke she'd ever heard

At least make up a decent lie! This shop has never had any such award. Why would Mr. Pruitt just hand you money? What exactly is your relationship with him?

She leaned in close to my ear, dropping her voice

If your mother found out you were throwing yourself at your own boss for cash, do you think the shock alone might just finish her off?

Oh, now I get it!

She raised her voice again, projecting for the whole room

This must be hush money! My husband paid her off to protect me!

I was shaking so hard I couldn't form words.

Then her gaze dropped to my neck, and her eyes lit up.

And what's this?

She yanked the ring from around my neck and held it up for everyone to see.

This ring has my husband's initial engraved on it! She stole his ring and wore it around her neck like some lovesick little keepsake!

Give it back!

I lunged at her like a wild animal.

That ring was the promise my father had given my mother.

It was everything my mother and I had left.

Jacqueline's expression turned ice-cold.

She let out a low, cruel laugh and tossed the ring onto the floor.

Then she brought her heel down on it.

I screamed and threw myself forward, reaching for it.

Too late.

Metal screeched against tile as it bent out of shape.

She lifted her foot, adjusted the angle, and stomped down again.

The sharp point of her stiletto drove into my open palm.

Pain shot through my entire body, and cold sweat soaked through my uniform.

Jacqueline ground her heel in without a flicker of mercy.

Half threat, half triumph.

She tapped the toe of her shoe against my cheek.

Get on your knees and apologize. If I'm in a good mood, maybe I'll let this go. Otherwise, I'm calling the police. Three, two, one.

Every last shred of restraint, every ounce of stubbornness I had held onto,

shattered.

It wasn't prison I was afraid of.

It was the thought that if I ended up behind bars, I'd miss my last chance to see my mother alive.

I'm sorry. I was wrong.

Words as low as dust.

They scraped out of my throat like broken glass.

Tears mixed with blood hit the floor.

I wrapped my arms around Jacqueline's ankles.

My forehead pressed to the ground beside the toe of her shoe.

Please, don't call the police.

I'm sorry, Mom.

This is the only way your daughter knows how to protect you, and it's the stupidest way there is.

The silent apology looped through my mind.

My forehead kept striking the floor, over and over.

Jacqueline finally smiled, satisfied.

See? Was that so hard?

She kicked me away like I was something filthy.

Don't worry. Even after they lock you up, I'll be kind enough to burn some paper money for your mother.

The last syllable hadn't left her lips when the front door slammed open.

Norman walked in. He saw me on my knees.

Jacqueline switched to a wounded expression instantly.

Honey, perfect timing! This little tramp stole five thousand dollars from the register. I was just about to call the police!

I didn't understand why.

But Norman's eyes went red.

A ringing filled my ears, and I watched his mouth move, open and close.

He seemed to be saying something to me.

Then every sound in the room

died the instant he said what he called me.

Stopped dead.