Ruby Declan NovelHe Gave Mom a Fake Card, I Gave Him Divorce Papers

Ruby's POV
After my mom retired, she worried that my job would keep me too busy, so she often came over to help cook and clean.
To make things easier for her, I asked my husband, Declan Blackwood, to get her an elevator access card.
He agreed right away, saying, Dont worry, honey. Whatever concerns Mom are my responsibility too. Ill handle it!
But later, I noticed she was still climbing the stairs every single time, arriving at my door out of breath.
When I asked why she wasnt using the card, she wiped the sweat from her forehead and said, Sweetie, the card Declan gave me doesnt work very well. I tried it several times, but the light never turns on.
I turned around and questioned Declan, but he simply slipped an arm around my shoulder and replied, Oh, property management told me the systems been acting up. A bunch of neighbors already complained! But dont worry, honey. I already pushed them to fix it. Mom just has to wait a few more days.
However, that night, I overheard my mother-in-law speaking in a low voice. Declan, tell me the truth. Did you really make a card for her mother?
That card has door access, she continued. If her poor relatives got their hands on it and came upstairs to steal things, what then?
I heard Declan let out a short, mocking laugh. Mom, relax. I gave her a fake one. Even if she swipes it for a hundred years, the elevator wont move. How could I dare give her a real one? Who knows who shed lend it to?
My mother-in-law let out a satisfied chuckle. Oh, my son really is smart. Quick on his feet.
I stood in the entryway, feeling every drop of blood in my body rush backward.
So, theyd been treating my mom like a thief this whole time.
And they seemed to forget that the deed to this apartment only had my name on it.

Quickly, I turned around and dialed the real estate agent. Hello, help me list a property for sale.
When I hung up, the two of them were still chatting away.
Declan sounded even more proud than before as he said, Besides, isnt it normal for her mom to help out with cooking and cleaning? Shes retired anyway. Might as well move around and keep her joints active. An elevator card? For what? Climbing a few stairs wont kill her
My mother-in-law chimed in right away. Exactly! Climbing stairs is good exercise. Back in our day, we went through much worse. She thinks shes that precious?
I stood by the doorway, feeling the cold spread through my chest. Every word they said cut into me like a knife.
How could they speak with such confidence? Did they forget that when Declans business failed, it was my mom who secretly gave him the bank card containing her life savings? Did they forget that the last time my mother-in-law was hospitalized, it was my mom who ran around taking care of everythingcooking soup, bringing meals, staying overnight until her eyes were red from exhaustion?
My mom treated them like family. She gave without asking for anything in return. But behind her back, they treated her like a cheap, disposable maid.
Just then, I heard my mom call from the kitchen.
Declan, Ruby, dinners ready! And dear in-law, the soups done. Come have a hot bowl!
Her voice hit me like boiling water splashed on a fresh wound.
I took a deep breath and forced my eyes shut for a moment.
No. I wasnt going to let this go. They were going to pay everything back with interest.
After fixing my expression, I walked into the living room.
On the dining table were four dishes and a soup, all steamingeverything my mom had spent her whole afternoon preparing.
My mother-in-law had already made herself comfortable in the main seat. She picked at the stir-fried vegetables closest to her, and her face instantly twisted. Oh, look at all this oil. How am I supposed to eat this? People with high blood pressure and high cholesterol cant touch this stuff!


Ruby's POV
My mom paused halfway through serving the rice. Her smile stiffened.
My mother-in-law lifted her eyelids, grabbed a piece of braised pork, and chewed twice before grimacing.
This meat is so tough. Completely overcooked. Its like chewing on wood. No offense, in-law, but your cooking really needs improvement. Our Declan has a sensitive stomach. He cant handle food like this.
Watching her pick apart every dish on the table, I remembered what she and Declan had said earlier in the bedroom, and I felt my temper flare in an instant.
I set my bowl down on the table with a sharp, crisp sound and said, If you want to eat, then eat. If you dont, then dont touch it. No one begged you to. If you think its too oily, theres water over there. Go rinse it yourself. And if you think the meat is too tough, then buy your own tomorrow and cook it the way you like.
My mother-in-law clearly didnt expect me to fire back. She froze for a moment before turning to Declan, who was still silently shoveling food into his mouth.
Declan! Look at your wife! Is that how she talks to me? Cant I even say a word now? Im doing this for your own good! she complained.
Declan quickly looked up, putting on his usual peacemaker face. He tugged lightly at my arm and reasoned, Ruby, just stop. Mom means well.
Seeing his fake concern made my stomach twist.
Means well? What she had was not kindness. It was deep-rooted contempt dressed up as concern.
I ignored his attempt to smooth things over and looked straight at him. Declan, when exactly is the property management office going to fix the elevator card situation? My mom cant keep climbing eight floors forever. What did they say today?
A flicker of panic flashed across his face, but he slipped back into his innocent act immediately. He then wrapped his arm around my shoulders and cooed, Honey, why bring this up again? Well, I asked after work today. The manager said the systems still being tested. A ton of residents complained lately. They said we just need to wait at most a week. Definitely fixed by then.
A week? I brushed his hand off and let out a cold laugh. My mom comes here three or four times a week, and we live on the eighth floor. Thats sixteen flights of stairs each visit. Her knee still hurts from her old injury. How exactly is she supposed to wait?
My mother-in-law jumped in, her tone full of sarcasm. Whats wrong with climbing stairs? Its good exercise! Our generation went through so much worse. Im sure your mom isnt that delicate.
Despite that, I ignored her and kept my eyes on Declan. Then, suddenly, I shifted the conversation. Since the property management office cant solve this anytime soon, lets do this instead. Your moms elevator card works perfectly, doesnt it? And she doesnt come often. So, why dont we let my mom use your moms card for now? And when your mom wants to visit, well climbing stairs once in a while is good exercise too, right?
The entire dining room went dead silent.
My mother-in-laws eyes flew wide open. Absolutely not! Why should my card go to her? Im supposed to climb stairs just to see my own son? Ruby, what are you trying to say?
Declans expression darkened. Clearly, he hadnt expected me to turn the tables.
Before he could speak, my mother-in-law slammed her hand onto the table and shot to her feet, pointing straight at my face. No! Absolutely not! Let me tell you, Ruby. Dont even think about it! My card is mine! No one touches it!
Declan rushed to hold her back while shooting me warning looks. Ruby, what nonsense are you talking about? How can we use Moms card? Property rules say one card per person. You cant just give it away!