Returning from a trip, I found a young, overly familiar nanny in my home. She adored my husband Leo but shot venomous looks at me. I wanted to fire her, but Leo refused, calling me unreasonable. After learning this, the nanny, Jade, grew to hate me. I specifically warned her that my mother—coming for dinner—had a fatal peanut allergy. She still loaded the food with peanut sauce, sending the guest to the ICU. Jade then played victim for Leo, claiming I set her up. Leo turned on me, disgusted. "How could you be so malicious?" I simply smiled, packed his bags, and threw them both out. Jade broke down; Leo sneered, wishing my mother ill. I laughed. "My mother is abroad. The woman in the ICU… is yours." 1 “Mom, I knew you were coming today, so I had Jade make all your favorites,” I said with a warm smile, placing a piece of chicken on my mother-in-law’s plate. But after only a few bites, her face flushed a frightening shade of red. Her hands flew to her throat, and before she could choke out a single word, she tumbled from her chair onto the floor. Panic seized me for a second, but then adrenaline kicked in. It was an allergic reaction. A severe one. There was no time to rage at Jade, who had cooked the dinner. I immediately laid my mother-in-law flat on the ground and tried to clear her airway. I glanced up and saw Jade just standing there, arms crossed, watching the chaos with a detached amusement. A surge of fury shot through me. “What are you doing just standing there?” I screamed at her. “Can’t you see she’s having a reaction? Go to my room, get the EpiPen from the top drawer of my nightstand, and call 911! Now!” Jade didn’t move an inch. Her pretty face was a canvas of contempt. “I may be your nanny, but I have my dignity. We’re equals. The magic word is ‘please.’ Don’t you know basic manners?” I stared at her, dumbfounded. My brow furrowed. “I told you this afternoon—no peanuts in any of the dishes tonight. Did you forget?” Jade shook her head. “Oh, I didn't forget. But you were being so dramatic this afternoon. I just couldn’t believe someone could die from a few peanuts.” “I have allergies myself—I can’t eat shellfish. The worst that happens is I get an itchy rash. You’re the kind of person I can’t stand, always making a big deal out of nothing.” She added with a sickeningly sweet smile, “Besides, think of it as desensitization therapy. A few more meals like this and she’ll be cured. You’re welcome.” I was so choked with rage I couldn’t even speak. Jade seemed to relish my stunned silence. She smirked. “You know why your mom’s having a reaction? It’s like they say, you can’t buy class. Did you really think marrying into a wealthy family meant you and your whole family would suddenly ascend to heaven? Honey, it’s called not knowing your place, and this is the universe punishing you for it.” I froze. Because the woman gasping for air on my floor wasn’t my mother. She was my mother-in-law. 2 It’s just that my husband, Leo, had always been so effortlessly charming with my parents, calling them ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’ from day one. I felt awkward still calling his mother ‘Mrs. Reid,’ so I’d started calling her ‘Mom’ too. Could it be? Was it because I’d said my mom was coming this afternoon that Jade had done this on purpose? I didn’t have time to explain. My mother-in-law was on the verge of death. By the time I clarified the family tree, we wouldn’t need an ambulance; we’d need a hearse. I scrambled to my feet and grabbed my phone to call 911. But before I could even dial, Jade lunged, snatching the phone from my hand and slamming it onto the marble floor. The screen spiderwebbed into a thousand pieces. “Are you insane? If we don’t call an ambulance, she could die! That’s murder, do you understand?” I yelled, my voice cracking. I turned to run upstairs for the EpiPen and my spare phone. Jade just laughed, a cold, sharp sound. “Quit the act. Calling an ambulance? Please. I know you were just going to call Leo and tattle on me.” She scoffed. “Life-threatening? Could you be any more dramatic?” As she spoke, she sauntered over to my mother-in-law and gave her a light kick with the toe of her shoe. “Alright, old lady, show’s over. With acting skills like that, you should be at the Oscars, not causing a scene in the Reid household.” When my mother-in-law didn’t respond, Jade didn’t seem bothered. She turned her attention back to me. “Let me be perfectly clear. I’ve already turned off the security cameras. I’m going to teach you a lesson today. Just because you married Leo doesn’t make you the lady of this house.” Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “This is your punishment for trying to get me fired. I suggest you learn from this. From now on, you’d better learn to stay in your lane, or I can’t guarantee I won’t ‘accidentally’ add a little something extra to your food one day.” I stared at her, a chill running down my spine. “How did you know I wanted to fire you?” 3 Jade was hired while I was out of the country. In her early twenties, young and beautiful. She was efficient, had a folder full of certifications, spoke fluent French, could drive, and was an amazing cook. On paper, she was the perfect nanny. But the hostility she directed at me was palpable from the moment I met her. I’d considered replacing her, but Leo insisted that a nanny of her caliber was hard to find. He told me to just give it time, that we’d warm up to each other. I’m not a difficult person, so I let it go. But what she just said sent my mind racing. Jade seemed to read my thoughts. She let out a soft, mocking laugh. “Leo, of course. He told me not to mind you, that you were just a spoiled princess throwing a tantrum. He said he’d stand by me, that he would never fire me.” Her eyes raked over me dismissively. “It’s actually hilarious. A spoiled princess? You don’t have the grace of a princess, just the attitude. Dragging your mother here all the time to leech off the family fortune. You probably don’t even know, but Leo can’t stand your parents. He’s told me more than once that he wishes they’d just die already.” Hearing that, a piece of my heart turned to ice. “So,” I said, my voice dangerously low, “you and Leo are close, then?” Jade caught the sarcasm in my tone and nodded defiantly. “That’s right. While you were away for the last six months, Leo and I got very close. Did you really expect a man as incredible as Leo to stay faithful to you?” She took a step closer, her voice rising. “And who are you to talk to me like that? You’re just a pretty face who married into money. If you can do it, why can’t I?” I almost laughed. It was clear now that Leo had been enjoying himself while I was away. But it was also clear he hadn’t told Jade one crucial detail: who, exactly, was the one who had “married up” in this relationship. 4 I wasn’t heartbroken. A girl from my kind of family learns early on that people change, that feelings are fleeting, but money is constant. Besides, when Leo and I got married, he signed a rock-solid prenup. If we divorced, he would walk away with nothing. With that thought calming me, I looked at Jade evenly. “Fine. If you and Leo have something going on, I don’t want him anymore. He’s all yours. Now call the ambulance. This is a matter of life and death. I promise you, I will divorce him and leave him to you.” Jade’s eyes lit up, a flash of pure triumph. She looked like she was about to jump for joy, but then her expression soured. “Nice try. You’re just saying that so you can take half of Leo’s money and live happily ever after.” “Then what do you want?” I snapped, my patience wearing thin. I glanced at my mother-in-law; her face was turning a horrifying shade of purple. Jade thought for a moment, then pulled her phone out of her pocket. “I want you on your knees. I want you to look into this camera, crying your eyes out, and confess that you cheated on Leo while you were abroad. That you’re leaving in shame and won’t take a single penny. You say that, and I’ll call the ambulance for your precious mother.” I rolled my eyes and gave up. I walked over to the sofa and sat down. “You figure it out, then. If you don’t want to call for help, we can just wait. But when she dies, your life is over, too. Leo isn’t going to marry a murderer.” Jade was stunned by my sudden composure. She sputtered, “That’s your mother! Are you just going to sit there and watch her die?” I shook my head slowly. “What if I told you… that’s not my mother? That’s my mother-in-law. Leo’s mom.” 5 The color drained from Jade’s face. She stared at the woman on the floor, speechless. “You’re lying! I did my research. Leo’s parents are on vacation in Europe right now.” Her voice trembled. “And Leo told me his parents can’t stand you because you refuse to have children.” “Besides, look at her! She looks like she’s from some backwater town. She has to be your mother. You think I’m going to fall for a stupid trick like that?” Jade shook her head, clinging to her version of reality. I shrugged. “Believe what you want. But take a good look. She’s unconscious. A few more minutes and she’ll be gone for good.” “You bitch! Your own mother is dying and you’re acting so cold! Is money really all that matters to you?” Then a new thought seemed to strike her. “No… I can’t let her die. If she dies, you’ll pin it on me. Leo will feel sorry for you and he won’t divorce you. I can’t let that happen!” Seeing I wasn’t going to budge, Jade hesitated for a few seconds before fumbling for the EpiPen I’d told her about earlier. But my mother-in-law was already in shock and couldn’t swallow the medication from an oral syringe she mistakenly grabbed instead of the injector. “Come on, take it! Old woman, you have to swallow! If you don’t, you’ll die! Don’t you dare try to frame me with your death! Wake up!” She started slapping my mother-in-law’s face, hard. It happened so fast I couldn’t even stop her. Finally, raw fear broke through Jade’s arrogance. Her hands shaking, she fumbled with her phone and dialed 911. After a chaotic whirlwind, we finally got my mother-in-law to the hospital. Just as she was wheeled into surgery, Leo rushed in. Before I could say a word, Jade burst into tears and threw herself into his arms. “Leo, I was so scared!” 6 Leo wrapped his arms around her, stroking her hair. “It’s okay, I’m here now. What happened? Why are we at the hospital? Are you hurt?” I cleared my throat loudly, rolling my eyes. Leo finally noticed me, and he pushed Jade away as if he’d been stung. “Elara… what are you doing here? What’s going on?” I didn’t say anything. Jade shot me a look of pure venom before turning back to Leo, her voice choked with sobs. “This afternoon, Ms. Reid told me her mother was coming for dinner. But a few minutes after she started eating, she just… collapsed. It was like she was poisoned.” “I was terrified! I wanted to call an ambulance, but Ms. Reid wouldn’t let me! She said… she said she was the one who poisoned her, and that she was going to frame me for murder!” The story was riddled with holes, but after a moment’s thought, Leo actually bought it. He looked from the glowing “SURGERY IN PROGRESS” sign to me, his face a mask of accusation. “Elara, if you have a problem, we can talk about it. Why do you have to be so cruel?” “You don’t like Jade, fine! But does that mean you have to destroy her life? I don’t even recognize you anymore. How did you become this person?” I gave him a look of utter disbelief. “Are you an idiot? Can’t you hear how she’s twisting everything? Fine. I’m calling the police. Let them figure out who the cruel one really is.” At the mention of the police, Jade’s face went pale. She swayed on her feet and collapsed dramatically into Leo’s arms. He scooped her up. “If you call the police, I’ll testify for Jade. It would be better for everyone if you just let this go.” “I’m sure your mother is a strong woman. She’ll be fine.” With that, he turned and carried Jade away. I glanced at the operating room one last time and followed them out. If her own son didn’t care, there was no reason for the daughter-in-law she despised to stick around. 7 I went home early the next morning to find Leo and Jade on the sofa. They must have thought I’d be at the hospital all night, because they were locked in a passionate kiss. The sight of it made my skin crawl. “Am I interrupting something?” I asked loudly. “Or are your lips just stuck together?” Leo shot up from the sofa. “Elara! You’re back? Why aren’t you at the hospital with your mother?” He didn’t even try to explain. Instead, he asked, “Is she out of danger already?” Jade added in a quavering voice, “I knew it. Ms. Reid was just trying to scare me. She’d never actually poison her own mother.” I shot Leo a withering glare. “Jade fainted, so I brought her back here. I was just about to head back to the hospital to be with you when you showed up. You misunderstood what you saw. We were just…” I held up a hand. “Stop. Save the excuses. I’m not interested. I already know everything. Jade gave me a very… detailed explanation.” Jade leaned against Leo, a picture of shy affection. “Leo, Ms. Reid said she’s willing to step aside so we can be together.” Before Leo could respond, I tossed a file onto the coffee table. “Sign it. Then you and Jade can live happily ever after.” I suppose I had been too good to Leo over the years. He’d started to believe he was indispensable, the true master of the house. He scoffed, “Alright, stop the drama. I was just angry last night. I can’t believe you’d do something so crazy just to get Jade fired.” “But I’ve had time to think. I’m sorry, okay?” he said, adding a clumsy lie. “And just now, I was just giving Jade CPR. Don’t get the wrong idea. I only see her as a little sister. You’ll always be my wife.” 8 The smile on Jade’s face cracked. She couldn’t understand why Leo was refusing to divorce me. She gritted her teeth and played along. “Yes, Ms. Reid, you misunderstood. There’s nothing going on between me and Leo. I was just foolishly in love with him, but… his heart belongs to you. I’ll leave. I wish you both… a long and happy life together.” Leo looked heartbroken. I was done with their little play. I waved a hand, and my lawyer, who had been waiting by the door, stepped inside. He adjusted his glasses, placed the divorce papers in front of Leo, and explained patiently, “Mr. Reid, Ms. Reid has made her decision. Refusing to sign is pointless. Frankly, divorcing now is your best option.” “If this gets any messier, your reputation will be ruined.” The lawyer paused for effect. “Furthermore… Jade was aware that… the old madam had a severe allergy and still knowingly served her food containing that allergen. That constitutes attempted murder. However, Ms. Reid has stated that if you sign these papers, she will not press charges.” I gave my lawyer a mental thumbs-up. He’d phrased it perfectly—vague enough to threaten them both without revealing that the victim was Leo’s own mother. If Leo knew that, he’d never agree to the divorce. Leo glared at me, his jaw tight. After a long, tense moment, he snatched the pen and signed his name. “You’ll regret this, Elara. I swear you will.” We went straight to the courthouse and had the divorce finalized on the spot. Jade was practically vibrating with joy. She was trying to maintain her delicate persona, but she was failing. “Ms. Reid, now that the papers are signed, please remove your belongings from the Reid residence. Leo and I would prefer not to see any of your things when we get home.” I looked over the divorce certificate, making sure everything was in order. Then I smiled. “Me, leave? Why would I leave my own house?” 9 Jade froze. “Leo, did you even read the divorce papers before you signed? Did she trick you?” The reality of the situation finally seemed to hit Leo. He looked dazed, as if he couldn’t believe he was actually divorced. I took a deep breath. “Jade, if you’d bothered to learn anything about your employer, you’d know that this isn’t the ‘Reid residence.’ It’s the home of the Hale family. And the man you thought was the master of the house? He was just the man who married the heiress.” Jade’s eyes went wide. She stood there, mouth agape, completely stunned. Leo quickly put an arm around her. “It’s okay, Jade. I may not be as rich as her, but I have a good income, and my feelings for you are real.” Jade’s expression softened. She probably remembered that Leo was, at least, handsome and talented. “That’s right,” she said quickly. “I love you for you, not for your money.” Leo puffed out his chest, looking smug. He sneered at me. “People like you, with nothing but money in your head, could never understand what true love is.” I was about to respond when my lawyer leaned in and whispered, “Mrs. Hale called. She said she couldn't reach you, so she called my office. She asked if you could call her back when you’re free.” Leo’s smug expression vanished. “What? That’s impossible. I just called the hospital. They told me your mother is in the ICU. They said even if she survives, she’ll be in a vegetative state. How could she be calling you?” A sly look crossed Jade’s face. “Leo, it’s a trick! She’s the one who was cheating! She and her mother cooked up this whole scheme so she could divorce you. I told you I was framed!” Understanding dawned on Leo’s face, followed by pure fury as he thought of the billions he’d just lost. “You bitch!” he roared. “You and your mother are both bitches! Jade was too kind to you! She should’ve just poisoned you both and been done with it!” I just shook my head. “Don’t worry. My mother is perfectly fine, enjoying her trip abroad. The person currently lying in the ICU… is my former mother-in-law. Your mother.”
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