The Useless Son In-law Is A Legend

Chapter 22

Ryan spent the whole morning helping Ava carry water to the small garden behind the house. The place wasn’t big, just a few plastic buckets with vegetables Ava planted herself. But it was the only part of the home that still felt peaceful.

Ava wiped sweat from her forehead. “Ryan… thank you. My shoulder still hurts from yesterday.”

“It’s nothing,” Ryan replied calmly. “You shouldn’t be doing heavy work anyway.”

Ava smiled a little, the first smile he had seen all day. “If I wait for Clara’s mother to help me, I will grow old.”

Ryan only sighed. He already knew the answer.

As they worked quietly, Ryan felt someone watching them. The feeling was sharp, almost heavy. He lifted his head slowly. At the far end of the backyard fence, someone stood behind the mango tree.

A shadow. Tall. Still.

Ryan frowned.

Ava didn’t notice; she was checking her plant leaves. “Ryan, do you think they’ll grow fast? I want to sell some vegetables to save small money…”

“Get inside,” Ryan said suddenly.

Ava blinked. “What? Why?”

“Just go inside.”

The sharpness in his voice made her obey. She held her small bucket and walked in quickly.

Ryan turned fully toward the shadow.

But when he looked again, the figure was gone.

Only the leaves moved gently as if nothing had been there.

Ryan stood still, listening.

A faint sound reached him… like a footstep on dry soil.

Someone had been standing there. Watching him. Or Ava.

Ryan’s jaw tightened.

This wasn’t the first time he felt strange eyes on him these past few days. But this time, the feeling was stronger — almost like a warning.

He stepped closer to the fence, scanning the narrow street behind the house. It was empty.

Just an old bicycle leaning on a wall, and a stray dog sleeping near the gutter.

Still… he knew what he felt.

Someone was following them.

He bent down and touched the soil near the fence. A fresh footprint. Not his. Not Ava’s.

A man’s.

So he was right.

Ryan stood up slowly. “Whoever you are… you’re getting bold.”

***

Inside the house, Ava was setting plates on the table. “Ryan, are you okay? You look strange.”

“I’m fine,” he said, sitting down. “Just thinking.”

Ava watched him. “You’re thinking too much this week. Is something wrong?”

“Everything is fine.” Ryan forced a soft smile. “Eat before it gets cold.”

She nodded slowly but didn’t believe him fully. Still, she kept quiet.

They ate quietly, but midway through the meal, there was a knock at the door.

Ava jumped a little. “Who is that? Clara is at work.”

Ryan stood up. “Stay here.”

He opened the door.

Old Mrs. Lawal, the nosy neighbor, was standing outside, breathing fast.

“Ryan… I came to warn you.”

Ryan raised a brow. “Warn me about what?”

She looked around, then leaned close. “Strange men have been walking around your street since morning. I don’t know who they are, but… they don’t look like people from here.”

Ava gasped from behind Ryan. “Men? What do they want?”

Mrs. Lawal lowered her voice. “I don’t know. But you should be careful. They asked me if anyone dangerous lives here. I told them no, but they were not satisfied.”

Ryan’s eyes darkened.

“Did they describe who they were searching for?” he asked.

“Yes,” she whispered. “They said… a quiet young man who lives with a girl and her family.”

Ava turned pale.

“Ryan… that’s you…”

Ryan didn’t speak. His jaw tightened more.

Mrs. Lawal looked at him again. “Be careful, my son. I don’t know what is happening, but those men do not look friendly.”

She left quickly.

Ava slowly shut the door. “Ryan… who are they? Why would someone look for you?”

“I don’t know,” he said softly, though deep inside, he knew this wasn’t random.

He had felt this coming.

And now it had begun.

Ava grabbed his arm. “Ryan… please don’t hide anything from me. I’m scared.”

Ryan placed his hand gently over hers. “I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.”

“But—”

“Trust me,” he said, more firmly this time.

Ava stared at him… and slowly nodded.

Ryan looked out the window one last time.

The street looked normal again.

But he felt it clearly.

This was only the beginning.