“Finally, an Heir.” My Mother-in-Law Cheered for My Husband’s Pregnant Mistress—Until Her Fake Baby Bump Dropped to the Floor

At six in the morning, I wrapped a tight black scarf around my bare head, painted subtle gray shadows under my eyes to look exhausted, and walked downstairs.

Beatrice was already sitting at the head of the dining table, watching television on her tablet while shelling pumpkin seeds. Adrian sat opposite her, casually scrolling through sports news on his phone.

Neither of them offered me a seat.

“Did you send your resignation email?” Beatrice asked without looking up.

“Yes,” I lied smoothly, keeping my voice faint. “I sent it first thing this morning.”

Adrian exhaled a long breath of relief. “Good. Now we can finally have some peace around here.”

Beatrice tossed a gold credit card onto the wooden table.

“Take my card and go to the high-end market downtown,” she commanded. “I want fresh beef shank, marrow bones, organic ginger, and imported honey. Adrian needs a nutritious meal after all the stress you’ve caused him.”

I picked up the shiny gold card. It was the supplementary card linked directly to my main account—the one I had canceled four hours ago.

“Of course,” I said timidly. “I’ll head out right away.”

Beatrice smiled smugly. “At least you are learning how to be useful.”

She left twenty minutes later with her friends for a morning tea gathering, carrying a designer handbag I had bought her from my trip to Paris. Adrian left for a business lunch, wearing a five-hundred-dollar watch purchased with my mid-year bonus.

At 9:45 AM, my phone vibrated in my pocket.

Alert: Transaction declined at Prime Cuts Meat Market. Amount: $320.00.

Alert: Transaction declined at Organic Greens Co. Amount: $85.00.

Alert: Transaction declined at Prime Cuts Meat Market. Amount: $320.00.

I sat comfortably on my couch, sipping black coffee, imagining the scene unfolding at the market.

Beatrice standing proudly at the front of the line, handing over the shiny card, telling the cashier to pack the finest cuts. The cashier swiping it once. Declined. Swiping it twice. Declined. The whispers of the wealthy neighbors standing behind her in line. The clerk saying loudly, “I’m sorry, ma’am, your card has been revoked.”

At 10:05 AM, my phone rang.