THE SECRET SON-IN-LAW: Heir of War

The Carson mansion looked beautiful from the outside—white stone walls, tall windows, a driveway filled with expensive cars—but Leon knew better than anyone that a pretty shell could hide the ugliest rot.

He stood at the kitchen counter, sleeves rolled up, washing a mountain of plates even though it wasn’t his turn. It was never his turn, but somehow the responsibility always landed on him.

“Leon, hurry up!” Olivia Carson’s sharp voice echoed from the living room. “The guests will be here in ten minutes. Don’t embarrass our family like usual.”

Leon bit the inside of his cheek. He wasn’t part of their family, not really. Just a son-in-law they looked down on. A stray picked up off the street, according to Olivia.

“Yes, Mother,” he answered calmly.

“I told you not to call me that,” Olivia snapped. “My daughter might have married you, but you haven’t earned the right to call me anything but Mrs. Carson.”

Leon didn’t respond. He just rinsed another plate. Silence was easier—it kept him from saying something he’d regret.

Footsteps clicked behind him, slow and purposeful. Then came the familiar, disdainful exhale.

“Still not done? Pathetic.”

It was Derek Carson, the eldest son. Tall, smug, wearing a designer suit that probably cost more than Leon could earn in a month—if they ever let him work.

Derek leaned against the doorway like he owned the world. “Try not to embarrass Sophia today. She already suffers enough being married to you.”

Leon didn’t rise to the bait. Not today.

Derek’s smirk grew. “Look at you, washing dishes while the rest of us prepare for our business partners. If anyone sees you, they’ll think you’re the help.”

Leon finally turned, water dripping from his hands. “Then maybe you should let me get back to work.”

Derek’s brows lifted, offended. Before he could spit out another comment, a soft voice cut through the tension.

“Derek, leave him alone.”

Sophia stood at the hallway entrance, arms folded. She wore a simple light-blue dress, her hair tied up in a neat bun. She wasn’t dressed up for the guests yet, but she still looked effortlessly elegant.

Derek scoffed. “I’m just reminding him of his place.”

“His place is my husband,” she said firmly.

Leon’s chest tightened, but he didn’t look at her. If he did, he’d see the disappointment she tried so hard to hide.

Derek rolled his eyes and walked off. “Whatever. Just make sure he doesn’t ruin tonight.”

Sophia stepped into the kitchen and moved beside Leon, handing him a clean towel.

“You’re doing extra again,” she murmured. “You didn’t have to.”

“They asked,” Leon said.

“They demanded,” she corrected gently. “You’re not a servant, Leon.”

He gave a noncommittal shrug. “Doesn’t matter.”

Sophia looked at him for a moment, her gaze softening with something he couldn’t read. Pity? Worry? Regret?

Before she could speak again, Olivia’s shrill voice cut through the air once more. “Leon! Sophia! Get out here. People are arriving soon!”

Sophia exhaled, handed him the towel, then left the kitchen. Leon followed a moment later, wiping his hands.

The Carson living room was overflowing with lavish decorations—crystal vases, fresh flowers, gold-rimmed glasses. It looked like a magazine spread. The Carson family spared no expense when it came to showcasing their wealth. It gave them purpose, status, power.

All things Leon supposedly lacked.

Olivia looked him over with a disapproving eye. “Your shirt is wrinkled.”

“It’s the only one I have,” Leon said quietly.

“Excuses,” she muttered. “Stand in the back. Don’t speak unless spoken to. And don’t tell anyone you’re married to Sophia. They’ll think she’s lost her mind.”

Leon’s jaw tightened, but he nodded. It wasn’t worth fighting.

Sophia, standing beside her brother, shot her mother a glare. “Mom, stop. He’s not a child.”

“He’s worse,” Olivia snapped. “At least children have potential.”

Leon pretended not to hear. He stepped back, as ordered.

The doorbell rang.

Everyone straightened immediately. Derek ran his hand through his hair. Olivia plastered on a polite smile. Even Sophia’s posture shifted, becoming more formal.

A group of well-dressed businessmen walked in, followed by a sleek-looking couple. Laughter filled the room instantly as handshakes and greetings were exchanged.

Leon stayed in the corner like a shadow.

A man in a gray suit nudged another and whispered loudly, “Who’s that guy? The driver?”

Olivia laughed too quickly. “Something like that.”

Leon swallowed hard. He’d gotten used to it, but Sophia hadn’t. She shot him a quick look—half apology, half helplessness.

The businessmen moved to the dining area as the Carson family entertained them with drinks and empty flattery. Leon made himself small, waiting for instructions.

Eventually, Olivia waved him over. “Leon, go fetch more wine.”

“Yes, Mrs. Carson.”

He moved toward the kitchen when a hand grabbed his arm. Sophia.

She glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one was watching. “Are you okay?”

He forced a small smile. “I’m fine.”

“You shouldn’t let them walk all over you.”

He shrugged. “It’s temporary.”

Sophia frowned. “Temporary until when?”

Leon didn’t answer.

She reached out, fingers brushing his arm in quiet apology. “I’m sorry. For all of this. For them.”

Leon shook his head. “It’s not your fault.”

Before she could reply, Derek’s loud voice echoed through the hall. “Sophia! Our guests are waiting.”

She pulled back instantly, walls rising around her again. She stepped away, leaving Leon with the ghost of her touch lingering on his skin.

He grabbed the wine bottles and returned to the dining room. As he poured glasses, he felt the businessmen’s eyes on him.

“Your servant’s clumsy,” one of them chuckled when Leon’s hand shook slightly.

“He’s not a servant,” Sophia blurted out before anyone could stop her. “He’s—”

Olivia cut her off quickly. “He helps around the house. That’s all.”

Leon lowered his gaze. Sophia clenched her jaw, clearly frustrated, but she said nothing further.

Dinner went on with loud conversation about money, investments, and connections—things Leon had no place in. He slipped away after serving the final dish, retreating to the porch for air.

The sky was dark now, stars peeking through clouds. The quiet felt like a blanket after the noise inside. Leon leaned against the railing, finally letting his expression fall.

He hated feeling powerless. He hated watching Sophia defend him only to be silenced. He hated being treated like garbage by people who had no idea who he really was.

But most of all, he hated that he’d let it go on this long.

He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

A moment later, footsteps approached.

He expected Sophia, maybe coming to check on him again.

But a voice he didn’t recognize spoke.

“Leon Hale?”

He turned sharply.

A man in a dark coat stood at the gate, half-hidden in the shadows. His expression was unreadable, but his posture was stiff and tense, like someone carrying a secret too heavy to hold any longer.

Leon straightened. “Who are you?”

The man stepped forward, lowering his head respectfully.

“My name is Adrian Holt,” he said quietly. “I’ve been searching for you for years.”

Leon froze.

The man swallowed hard, eyes glinting with something close to fear—or reverence.

“You need to come with me, sir. Immediately.”

Leon frowned. “Why would I—”

Adrian’s next words hit him like a bolt of thunder.

“Because the War God’s Heir has been found… and it’s you.”

Leon’s breath caught.

Behind him, the door creaked open—and someone from the Carson family stepped outside, hearing just enough to change everything.