I had always shared a perfect relationship with my mother-in-law, Betsy Dutton. We were the model pair of a wealthy family. She and my father-in-law, Rourke Dutton had been childhood sweethearts, their bond seemingly unbreakable.

But one day, she told me something that changed my entire perception of them. 

She clutched my hand and tears were streaming down her face. “Naomi,” she sobbed, “your father-in-law… he’s been keeping a mistress. They even have a child together!

“For over ten years, I’ve been in the dark, made into a laughingstock!”

My throat tightened, and I couldn’t hold back my own confession. 

“Mom, actually… Julius is no better. He bought a whole apartment building for his mistress!”

We wept in each other’s arms, our heartbreak spilling out in waves. 

After what felt like an eternity, she sniffled and straightened herself. “Men are utterly unreliable creatures!”

“I’m done with that old man, Naomi!”

I gripped her hand tightly. “Mom, wherever you go, I’ll follow. I’m done with Julius, too!”

My mother-in-law, Betsy Dutton, and I reached a consensus instantly.

We soon began planning our escape.

After much thought, I realized that faking our deaths was the best option.

Betsy had been a pampered girl, married to my father-in-law, Rourke Dutton at the tender age of twenty.

She had dedicated her life to supporting him and raising their children so she was naive and innocent in many ways. But when it came to acting, she still had her skills.

“Naomi dear, I only have so much on hand. How do we begin?”

I looked at the documents she handed me, and my eyes widened in disbelief.

Three hundred million dollars?

I shouldn’t have been too shocked.

Betsy came from money.

Compared to her, I had a meager five million dollars. But even that was more than enough to last us three lifetimes.

“I have a plan!” I said.

Betsy trusted me completely so I set the plan into motion without delay.

In two days, it would be Rourke’s birthday. We decided to host the party on a luxury cruise.

It was innovative, yes—but more importantly, it would provide the perfect cover for our escape.

Time was running out, so I outsourced everything.

As for the spark that would ignite the whole plan, that would naturally be the woman Julius was involved with!

If she had dared to accept the apartment unit he gave her, she should be ready to face the consequences.

On the day of his birthday celebration, Betsy wore a full Chanel outfit, her youthful face only enhancing her beauty.

Rourke stood by her side. Though old, he had a boyish air about him which drew the attention of many wealthy women.

Guests moved around us, and Betsy smiled, nodding at me through the crowd. We shared a silent understanding.

Just then, Julius Dutton walked up to me and wrapped his arm around my waist. “You look stunning tonight!”

The warmth of his palm against my waist made me shiver and I instinctively pulled away.

“You look pretty handsome yourself tonight,” I replied with a smirk.

“You’ve got so many admirers. I feel like I’ve been stabbed by their gazes a thousand times over!”

Several beautiful women stood nearby, all eyeing Julius.

He rested his chin on the top of my head and whispered, “They can look, but they can’t touch. I’m yours and only yours.”

I suppressed my disgust and met the gaze of someone in the distance. I forced a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “Too bad for some people.”

I glanced at the building he’d given his mistress. “That’s quite a valuable gift. It seems this young lady holds a very special place in your heart.”

Julius stiffened, then lowered his hand.

“Don’t jump to conclusions. It’s all for work.”

“I understand,” I replied with a knowing smile. “You’re just spending lavishly for love, right?”

Julius tried to explain, but I cut him off with a pat on his arm. “I’m going to check on Mom. You can do as you please.”

I made my way toward Betsy as Valerie Turner approached and wrapped herself around Julius.

When I reached Betsy, she grabbed my hand and led me toward the deck.

“Are you ready?” she asked.

“I’m ready. Don’t worry.”

We exchanged a smile just as Valerie came over.

“Naomi! Oh! And Mrs. Dutton, you’re here too?”

Betsy looked at her suspiciously.

“You convinced my son to buy you an apartment, and you dare to show your face to me!”

Valerie glared at her.

“I didn’t ask him to. Julius did it willingly!”

*Slap!*

Betsy could no longer hold back her anger.

Valerie clutched at her cheek in shock.

I sneered.

“Mom only has one son and he’s married to me. What makes you think he’ll just give an apartment away to you?

“Do your fans know how shameless you really are behind the scenes, Valerie?”

Valerie was furious and looked ready to fight.

Betsy and I struggled with her, but in the chaos, I lost my balance and toppled backward, tumbling over the railing!

“Naomi!”

Betsy screamed and reached out in desperation, but her hands grasped only air.

Valerie was terrified.

“No, it wasn’t me!”

“Who else could it be? You’ve taken my daughter-in-law!”.

Betsy yanked Valerie toward the railing, and in panic, Valerie shoved her away.

Then, a heart-wrenching scream pierced the air.

“Mom!”

Panic spread across the cruise ship as people frantically searched for Betsy and me.

Meanwhile, somewhere not far away, Betsy pulled me out of the water.

“Are you okay, Naomi?” she asked, a slight tremble in her voice.

“I’m fine, Mom.”

Wrapped in a blanket, I watched as the noise from the ship grew fainter, the vessel drifting farther away.

I finally let out a sigh of relief.

Once we were safely ashore and settled on the sofa of our hotel, we watched the news.

The headline was enough to make both of us frown uneasily.

[Dutton Family’s Birthday Bash Turns Tragic: Mother and Daughter-in-Law Fall into the Sea and Pronounced Missing]

Valerie’s pale face dominated the screen, her eyes swollen and red from crying.

“I didn’t mean to! I didn’t push them! They fell on their own!”

Valerie was taken away by the police as Rourke looked on with a serious expression on his face.

Julius however, looked especially haggard.

I smiled as I turned off the television.

Betsy patted my hand gently.

“Don’t worry. It’s all for show. Once they’ve accepted that we’re gone, they’ll show their true colors. Just wait and see. It won’t be long before Valerie is released.

“And when she is, Rourke’s mistress will also surface.”

I nodded.

Sure enough, three days later, Valerie was released from prison on grounds of insufficient evidence.

A swarm of reporters descended on her as she made her way to Julius.

The reporters surrounded them, their cameras flashing relentlessly.

“Mr. Dutton, there are rumors that Miss Valerie had a dispute with your mother and wife before the incident. Could this have something to do with their fall into the sea?”

“Have you resolved any disputes you have with your wife?”

“What’s the latest development? Have the Duttons given up on the search?”

Julius’s face darkened. “You’ll have to wait for the official announcement.”

I laughed as I watched the news.

Julius deserved whatever that was coming his way!

Valerie was his weakness. He could not even get angry at her and spent all his energy protecting her instead!

Frustrated, I muted the news and convinced Betsy to go jet-setting with me.

Having money made anything possible.

For security, we also opened an offshore account that no one would be able to trace.

Every day was filled with indulgence—bright lights, fine wine, and endless enjoyment. Life couldn’t have been better.

Despite that, I couldn’t help but wonder what the rest of the Duttons were up to.

I knew that as long as they didn’t find a body, they wouldn’t declare a death.

This led to endless speculation in society about whether the two of us were truly dead.

Rumors and gossip spread everywhere, but I remained unmoved.

Every day, I soaked up the sun, watched handsome men by the sea, and lived a life of pure indulgence.

After half a year, though, I started to get a little bored.

So, Betsy and I decided to open a guesthouse. We welcomed customers and made a good amount of money.

Life became both peaceful and fulfilling.

The news about us gradually faded from the newspapers and TV screens.

Betsy and I had planned to let life pass and even referred to each other as mother and daughter. We visited bars and encountered handsome men along the way.

Betsy was carefree, and together we would gossip about the people we had left behind.

But, we knew that eventually, the good times would come to a halt.

During the peak tourist season, business at our guesthouse boomed.

I received a large booking—two guests who rented the entire place for a month and paid an extra two thousand dollars to ensure no one else could stay.

Of course, I agreed.

When I learned that it would just be the couple, I proudly promised them that the entire villa would be theirs.

I even stocked the place with extra food.

They were a young couple, so I felt I had to treat them well.

Betsy was thrilled when she found out.

Before the guests arrived, she pulled me aside to take some photos of me.

“Life is for living, Naomi. And you’re so beautiful!

“I’m going to set you up for a blind date. You’re still young. You can’t keep hanging on to that idiot husband of yours!”