The Useless Son In-law Is A Legend

Chapter 30

The next morning, the Harrison house felt strangely quiet. Clara moved around with a heavy heart, her eyes swollen from crying all night. She avoided looking at Ryan, as if pretending he didn’t exist would make her shame disappear. Ava tried to talk to her sister, but Clara only hissed and shut her door.

Mrs. Harrison stood in the kitchen, staring at the pot of boiling water like she wasn’t really seeing it. She looked tired, older than usual, her shoulders bent as though carrying a weight nobody could understand.

Ryan walked in quietly and greeted her.  

“Good morning, Ma.”

She nodded slowly. “Hmm. Morning.”

He waited for her to ask how he was doing or if he had slept well, but she didn’t. She was too deep in her thoughts. After a long silence, she finally spoke.

“Ryan… about yesterday.”

Ryan stayed calm. “It’s fine, Ma. You don’t have to explain. I understand.”

She looked at him for the first time. Her eyes were red, but softer than they’d been in days.

“Yesterday made me realize something,” she said. “No matter how much you do for this family, people will always talk. They will always look down on you. And I… I don’t know how to protect you from that.”

Ryan smiled a little. “You don’t have to protect me. I’m used to it.”

“That’s the problem!” Mrs. Harrison snapped. Her voice cracked. “You shouldn’t be used to pain. You shouldn’t be used to disrespect.”

Ryan didn’t know what to say.

She turned away, wiping her eyes with her apron. “Clara is still angry. She won’t admit she was wrong. And the neighborhood women are spreading stories. They think you’re worthless. They think you’re just a burden to us. They… they even think I’m foolish for letting you stay.”

“So what do you want me to do?” Ryan asked quietly.

Mrs. Harrison took a deep breath. “I want peace. For my daughters… and for this house.”

Ryan felt it coming, but he let her talk.

“I’m not asking you to leave the family,” she said in a soft voice. “You’re still my son-in-law. But maybe… maybe you should stay with your mother for a while.”

The words cut him, but he didn’t show it.

“I just need things to calm down,” she continued. “People won’t stop talking. And Clara won’t stop feeling embarrassed. If you’re not here for some time, maybe the noise will fade.”

Ryan took a long breath, then nodded. “If that’s what will make things easier for you… I will go.”

Mrs. Harrison looked pained. “I’m sorry. Truly.”

“It’s okay,” he said. “You’ve done more for me than most people. I’m grateful.”

For the first time in days, she gave him a small, emotional smile.

Ryan went to the room he shared with Clara and quietly packed his few belongings—mostly clothes, a small bag, and the wristwatch Mrs. Harrison bought him last year. Clara stayed silent behind her door, refusing to look at him. Ava followed him to the exit, eyes full of sadness.

“Brother Ryan,” she whispered. “Please don’t be angry.”

“I’m not angry,” he assured her. “Just take care of your mother. And yourself.”

Ava nodded, tears falling down her cheeks. “Come back soon. Don’t stay away forever.”

Ryan touched her head gently. “I won’t.”

When he stepped outside, the morning air felt cold. The street was quiet, but he could feel people watching from behind curtains. Whispers would start soon. They always did.

He took one last look at the house—the place he had called home for years—and walked away with slow steps.

He didn’t know what the future held.

But somewhere deep inside him, a strange calm settled.

Because he knew—

Leaving was only the beginning of a bigger change.