The Useless Son In-law Is A Legend

Chapter 24

Morning came with soft sunlight slipping through the small window. Ryan woke up early, feeling a strange heaviness in his chest. He didn’t sleep well. Clara’s shouting last night still echoed in the house, but he tried to ignore it. As usual, he prepared to go to work quietly.

Ava was already in the kitchen making tea for her mother, Madam Grace, who had been sick for weeks. She looked tired, her eyes red, but she forced a small smile when she saw Ryan.

“Good morning,” she greeted.

Ryan nodded. “Good morning. How is your mom?”

“Still weak,” Ava said softly. “The hospital said we must pay the remaining bill before they continue treatment. I…I don’t know what to do again.” She looked down, her fingers shaking slightly.

Ryan wanted to tell her the truth — that she didn’t need to worry anymore, that the bill was settled. But he held the words in. He didn’t want her to feel indebted or pressured. He wanted to remain invisible, helpful from the shadows.

Before he could reply, Clara walked in with a loud sigh.

“So this is where you two are hiding? Talking like you don’t have work to do.” She rolled her eyes at Ryan. “And you — stop bothering Ava. She has her own problems. You have none because you contribute nothing.”

Ava looked embarrassed. Ryan didn’t respond. He simply wore his shoes and left the house quietly.

***

At the hospital, Ava sat beside her mother’s bed. Madam Grace looked thinner than before, but she still held her daughter’s hand gently.

“Don’t cry,” she whispered. “God will make a way.”

A nurse walked in with a file. Ava tensed immediately. “Please, is there any update on the bill? I promise I’ll find the money. Just give me a little more time.”

The nurse blinked, confused. “Bill? What bill?”

Ava frowned. “The balance we are supposed to pay.”

The nurse flipped through the papers, then shook her head. “Everything has been cleared since yesterday.”

Ava’s eyes widened. “Cleared?”

“Yes. Fully paid. You don’t owe anything.” The nurse smiled. “Your mother’s treatment will continue immediately.”

Ava felt her heart stop. “Who… who paid it?”

The nurse checked again. “There is no name. The person asked to stay anonymous.”

Ava covered her mouth, tears filling her eyes. “Anonymous?”

Madam Grace looked at her daughter quietly. “Ava… someone is watching over us.”

Ava turned away, wiping her tears. Only one face flashed in her mind — one person who always appeared at the right time, never asking for thanks, never demanding anything.

*Ryan.*

But she shook her head quickly. “It can’t be him,” she whispered to herself. “Ryan doesn’t have money. Ryan is just… Ryan.”

Still, her heart refused to believe it.

***

Later that evening, Ava returned home with the news. She expected everyone to be surprised, maybe even relieved. But when she entered, Clara and her mother were arguing again.

Ava stood at the doorway. “Mom, the hospital bill... it has been paid.”

Clara turned sharply. “Paid? By who? You better not say it’s one of those useless men you talk to.”

Ava shook her head. “They said the person wants to remain anonymous.”

Clara scoffed. “Anonymous my foot. Maybe the hospital pitied you.”

Ava didn’t argue. She simply walked to her room. But as she passed Ryan, who had just come in from work, their eyes met briefly.

He gave her a small, gentle smile.

She opened her mouth to speak, but the words refused to come.

Because deep inside, she knew.

She knew who had helped her.

But Ryan just walked past quietly, like someone who never expected praise.

Someone who preferred to remain invisible.

***

That night, Ava couldn’t sleep. She stared at the ceiling, replaying everything.

Why would Ryan help her?

How did he even get the money?

Who exactly was he?

She pressed a hand to her chest.

Something about Ryan didn’t add up — and for the first time, she wanted to know more.

Not out of pity.

Not out of duty.

But out of a strange, warm pull she didn’t understand.

And Ryan… he sat outside under the moonlight, alone, looking at the sky.

He whispered to himself, “Ava doesn’t need to know. Not yet.”

His phone buzzed with a message.

*“Money delivered. No trace left.”*

Ryan exhaled deeply and locked the phone.

He wasn’t ready for the truth to come out.

Not yet.