Technically, he was our family's housekeeper, but I had always treated him well since he was Jude's relative. His job was easy, mostly just driving my mother around for grocery shopping or strolls. We also had a cook and a part-time cleaner, so he didn't have much to do.

Still, how could someone from a struggling background suddenly afford a Mercedes? Did he rent it? Or was there something else going on? These questions kept swirling in my head. I clicked on Jared's post again, but it was gone. Then I had an idea. I pulled up the security camera footage, which I never usually bother with and guess what? It was just a black screen! Nothing.

Suddenly, I heard this faint whimpering sound. Barely there, but it felt like a needle poking right at my heart. My gut was telling me something was seriously wrong. I decided to cut my business trip short and booked a flight home.

I rushed back as fast as I could. The moment I opened the door, Jude looked startled. His eyes flashed with panic before he quickly put on an expression of surprise. "Babe! You're back early! You must be hungry, let me make you something to eat!" As he spoke, he subtly blocked the doorway as if trying to hide something.

I frowned, an inexplicable irritation rising in my chest. "I already ate on the plane. I'm not hungry."

His voice suddenly got louder. "Oh, not hungry? Then just go rest!"

From inside the house, I heard the sound of things shifting. I pushed past him and scanned the room. Something felt off, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Jared was standing in the living room, sweeping the floor, with a bit of sweat on his forehead. He looked flustered for a second but then gave me this cheesy smile. "Mrs. Ysabell, you're back!"

I nodded and headed straight for my mother's room. She was wearing her reading glasses and seemed to be sewing something. She used to work in factories, making buttons and stuff, which really messed up her eyes. It made my heart ache.

When I opened the door, my mother jumped like I'd scared her. She dropped a men's shirt she was holding. When she saw it was me, she forced a smile. I signed to her, "Mom, what's going on? Why did you want to go back so suddenly?"

She shook her head and signed back. "I'm not used to the city. I miss Macey and the others."

I frowned even more. "Mom. Aunt Macey passed away last year. Tell me the truth, what's wrong?"

My mother's eyes darted towards the door. Someone was standing there. It was Jude. He yawned and said, "What are you two doing, playing charades?"

When my mother heard Jude's voice, she flinched and covered her face. I saw bruises on the back of her hand. I grabbed her hand and pulled up her sleeve. Her whole arm was covered in bruises. "Jude, how did my mom get these bruises?" I was furious and my voice was loud. "And why is she sewing? I told you a million times, that her eyes are bad. She shouldn't be doing any needlework. She needs to rest!"

Jude glanced at my mom. She quickly yanked her sleeve down and waved her hands frantically, signaling that she was okay.

"Ysabell Coleman, calm down," Jude sighed, looking exasperated. "What, are you interrogating me like a criminal now?"

"You know how stubborn Mom can be. That day your mother insisted on cleaning the stairs, I told her not to, but she didn't listen and fell down! He also insisted on helping Jared sew the clothes, what can I do?"

Right then, Jared showed up at the doorway, looking all innocent and honest. "Mrs. Ysabell, I'm sorry. Your mother saw my clothes were torn and offered to help me fix them. Right, Ma'am?"

My mother nodded hard. I placed my hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes. "Mom, where's the scarf I gave you?"

She trembled, her hands shaking as she gestured, "Ysabell, I'm sorry. I thought the scarf looked too old-fashioned, so I threw it away."

My mother suffered her whole life. The reason I brought her to the city was so she could finally enjoy some peace, but now her profoundly wrinkled face was covered in tears and her lips quivering. Everything was fine before I left. So, why did she look so scared and miserable now? My chest tightened with pain.

Just then, Jude's phone started ringing urgently. His expression shifted slightly and a flash of panic crossed his eyes. He quickly walked to the corner and lowered his voice to answer the call. A moment later, he hung up, hurried over and said anxiously, "Ysabell, there's a data issue at the company. I have to go fix it right away. I drank at dinner earlier, so Jared, you drive me."

Before he even finished speaking, he turned and rushed out the door with Jared. My mother watched them leave, her expression a mix of fear, worry and sadness. My gut told me something was off with Jude.

Our marriage had been rushed and forced from the start. It was an accident after a drunken night at a business event. After we got married, he said he was too lazy to learn sign language and I never pushed him. I was always busy with work.

Six months ago, after my mother recovered from a broken bone, I figured our place was spacious enough, so I brought her to live with us. It was easier to take care of her and it was the least I could do for her. Jude agreed right away and after some hesitation, my mom happily moved in. I thought I could finally be a good daughter, yet now nothing feels right. There were too many strange things happening and I couldn't shake this uneasy feeling.

"Mom, if you really want to go back home, I'll take you for a couple of days. You can always come back," I reassured her, trying to ease her anxiety. My mother looked conflicted. She moved her lips, but no words came out. After a moment of silence, she gestured, "I am fine, really. I just miss the farm work back home."

No matter how much I tried to convince my mother, she insisted on going back to our hometown. That night, after she fell asleep, I quietly got up. I went to the living room and called my best friend, Catherine Warren. "Hey, doesn't your company have some IT geniuses? Can you help me recover some surveillance footage?"

In the middle of the night, I lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Suddenly, the front door swung open, followed by a deafening sound of the TV. I rushed to my door and looked downstairs.

"Damn! What a goal!" a deafening shout echoed through the house. Jared was watching a soccer game with a beer in his hand, smoking a cigarette and the living room filled with smoke.

I was startled for a few seconds before I realized what was happening. I rushed downstairs, turned off the TV and glared at Jared angrily. "Jared! What are you doing in the middle of the night?"

Jared reeked of alcohol. He looked up drunkenly and snapped, "Watching the game! You blind or what?"

"My mom's a light sleeper. Go to your room!" I tried to keep my anger in check. "Just because Jude and I take care of you doesn't mean you can do whatever you want here!"

He grumbled, still unwilling to move. "Mr. Jude said I could watch TV."

I shot him a cold glare, my voice firm and sharp. "I'm the lady of this house. If you want to keep staying here, you better follow the rules!"

"He stubbed out his cigarette and finally went back to his room, but not before kicking the trash can over with a loud crash. I was shaking with anger, swearing to myself that I wouldn't keep him around. He was out of here tomorrow!

The following day, I woke up and went to the kitchen for something to eat. What I saw stopped me in my tracks. Mom was squatting in the corner of the kitchen, eating a sweet potato. When she saw me, she quickly hid the sweet potato behind her back, looking flustered and uneasy. "Mom! Why are you eating here by yourself? Where's the cook?" I asked, my eyes wide with surprise.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Jared rushed to open the door. Two delivery guys stood there, holding a bunch of boxes with the "The Jordan" logo on them. They bowed deeply to Jared and said respectfully, "Mr. Lopez, your meals are here. Enjoy!"

Jared swaggered over to the table. He opened the boxes and there were all kinds of fancy dishes like shrimp and abalone, smelling delicious. I stormed over and grabbed his arm, demanding, "What's going on?"

Jared just shrugged, "Mrs. Ysabell, your mom fired the cook, said the food wasn't to her taste and was a waste of money. Mr. Jude told them to just send food from the hotel."

I turned to look at my mom. Her eyes were full of fear as if she had done something terribly wrong. My heart sank and anger boiled up inside me. "If the hotel's sending food, then why is my mom in here eating a damn sweet potato?" My voice rose, shaking with fury. "She's the homeowner and yet you're the one feasting on luxury meals?"

Thinking about how off my mom had been acting lately, I couldn't hold back my rage any longer. "Pack your things. You're out by the end of the week! I'm done feeding a freeloader like you!"

To my surprise, Jared looked even angrier than me. His face turned red and he shouted, "I'm Zaretsky's family! Who the hell do you think you are to kick me out?! Fine! You wanna play rough? I'll go tell Mr. Jude about this!" With that, he stormed out of the house.

A sharp pain clenched my chest. I could hardly believe what I had just heard. Just then, my best friend, Catherine, called me. Her voice was full of anger and concern. "Ysabell, you need to prepare yourself. I think you should call the cops."

My hands trembled, almost dropping the phone. I quickly opened the video Catherine had sent me. The surveillance footage showed my mother, Jared and Jude in the living room. Next to Jude was a tall, skinny woman. Jared lounged on the couch like he owned the place, a cigar hanging from his mouth, cigarette butts littering the floor. He looked arrogant and smug.

Meanwhile, Jude and the woman were making out passionately, hugging each other tightly, their lips locked and their hands all over each other, completely ignoring my mother. My mother pointed at them, her eyes full of anger and disbelief. However, Jared just smirked and stood up. He kicked my mother, knocking her to the ground.