The gap between our two families became even more obvious.

Yet Heidi was obedient in every way, attending to even the smallest details, caring for me so meticulously that I got used to her devotion.

Eventually, I let myself fall into marriage with her.

After we got married, she handled the cooking while I washed the dishes. We split the household chores evenly, and life was peaceful and happy.

But just three months into our marriage, she decided to bring her younger brother and parents from the countryside to live with us.

She said, "I live in such a big house and eat so well, but when I think about Cyrus and Mom and Dad suffering in the countryside, my heart just aches."

"Honey, I want Cyrus and my parents to enjoy life with us. You'll support me, right?"

Honestly, I was strongly against living with my in-laws, especially with an extra younger brother added to the mix. But caught up in my newlywed bliss, I surprisingly nodded in agreement.

Once her parents and Cyrus moved in, I realized Heidi had a fatal flaw: she was utterly devoted to her parents, and her little brother.

Her favorite phrase was always: "My parents raised me with so much effort, and Cyrus is still young—show some consideration for them."

Cyrus immediately started causing trouble. "Sis, I don't care! You promised me a riverside penthouse!"

Heidi hurried to soothe him. "Since I promised you, of course, I'll buy it for you!"

"Your sister said that just for fun! How can she buy it for you? With her two-thousand-dollar monthly salary?"

Cyrus's face turned red with anger. "The money you earn is my sister's anyway. Besides, you've been married for six months and haven't had a child yet—I think you just can't have one."

"Later, when you're old, you'll rely on me to take care of you. And when you die, your money will still be mine!"

Her mother snorted. "Cyrus is right! It's been six months, and my daughter's belly hasn't shown a thing. The seventh of the Seven Deadly Sins is having no heir. We've been merciful not to divorce her directly!"

Cyrus crossed his arms and smiled. "Exactly."

I was shocked, staring at Heidi. "I can't have children?"

Before we married, Heidi and I had agreed to postpone having children—we wanted time for just the two of us, so we always took precautions.

Heidi turned her face away, completely ignoring me.

"Calm down, guys. Today, we're going out to eat."

She led her family out the door, giving me no attention at all.

I left alone and went to a Japanese restaurant, eating my fill. With my wealth, there was no reason I should starve myself.

I stayed out until late, and Heidi hadn't sent me a single message. I ended up staying at a hotel overnight, and the next day went straight to the office.

Still, Heidi remained silent—this time, she hadn't even attempted to apologize.

That afternoon, I received a shocking message: three million dollars from my fixed deposit had been withdrawn.

I felt like I had been struck by lightning and immediately called Heidi.

"Did you take the three million from my account?"

"Yes," she admitted without hesitation. "I gave it to Cyrus—it's like we're giving him money for a house."

"Heidi, you better return that three million before I get home from work, or I'm calling the police."

By the time I returned home, no money had been deposited.

Cyrus strutted around me, completely smug.

"If you hadn't given me the money, my sister would have anyway. Now the three million is in my pocket—why not just give it to me directly? You're getting old and still don't understand anything."

Then he even started singing in my face.

I looked at Heidi. "You're not planning to return this money, are you?"

“Husband, Cyrus is my younger brother. Of course I want to give him the best,” Heidi said righteously.

“You earn so much money. Three million is nothing to you—you can earn it back in no time. Why are you being so calculative?”

I nodded calmly. “Alright. I understand what you mean.”

Then I took out my phone and dialed 911.

“Hello, Officer. I’ve been robbed of three million. The suspects are my wife, Heidi Ramos, and her younger brother, Cyrus Ramos.”

Heidi screamed and lunged at me, snatching my phone away.

“It’s a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding!” she said hastily into the phone. “Sorry, Officer.”

She hung up in a panic, her face pale with shock.

“Edward, are you insane?!”

“Heidi,” I said coldly, “you’re the insane one. You stole my phone and stopped me from calling the police. Fine—if you like, I’ll call again tomorrow using the company phone.”

She froze.

“We’re family,” she said anxiously. “Is it really necessary to go this far? Is it too much for you, as Cyrus’s brother-in-law, to buy him a house? Or to give him some money when he gets married? Tell me—is that too much?”

I looked at her quietly.

“Heidi, are you a billionaire?”

“Since three million is ‘nothing,’ let me ask you—how much do you earn a month? How much savings do you have?”

Her face flushed red instantly.

“I know it—you look down on me!” she shouted. “You think my family is poor! You think I’m useless!”

“I may not be as lucky as you, but I still have dignity!”

I was genuinely amused by her shamelessness.

“If I thought you were poor and useless, I wouldn’t have married you,” I said flatly.

“Stop changing the subject. I’ll ask you one last time—are you repaying the money or not?”

Her face turned crimson. She panted heavily, then finally screamed, “Give it back to him!”

Cyrus immediately exploded. “I won’t return it! Once money enters my bank account, it’s mine!”

“Return it!” Heidi snapped nervously. “Didn’t you see he called the police? Do you want to go to jail?!”

Cyrus clenched his teeth, sulking. After a long moment, he reluctantly transferred the money back to me.

As he did, he glared at me viciously.

“Sis, you should really change your husband.”

I ignored them and went straight back to my room.

...

The next evening, after work, the moment I reached downstairs, I stopped.

My belongings were scattered all over the ground.

I lived on the third floor. I looked up—and saw Cyrus standing on my balcony, casually throwing things down one by one.

When he spotted me, he shouted arrogantly, “Edward! Today, on behalf of my sister, I officially kick you out!”

He dragged a man forward proudly.

“See? This is my new brother-in-law. He and my sister grew up together. Most importantly—he’s much more sensible than you.”

“Only he is worthy of being the son-in-law of our Ramos family!”

After speaking, he grabbed my clothes and shoes and flung them down hard.

The leather shoes I bought for twenty thousand were smashed beyond repair.

I looked at the mess on the ground.

Then I looked at Heidi, standing on the balcony, watching silently.

I suddenly laughed.