The Useless Son In-law Is A Legend

Chapter 31

Clara woke up early the next morning with a heavy head. She had barely slept. Mrs. Harrison had cried half the night, worried about bills, worried about the failed business deal, and worried about Ava’s schooling. Clara had tried to comfort her mother, but inside, her thoughts were restless.

Ryan.

Ever since he left town, things had only become more confusing. The house felt emptier. The dinner table felt too quiet. Even Ava noticed it and kept asking when he would come back. Clara hated that her mind always drifted to him when she least expected it. She told herself it meant nothing. He was just a useless son-in-law. That was what she had always believed.

But lately… things didn’t feel the same.

Clara pushed the thoughts aside as she stepped into the living room. Mrs. Harrison sat on the couch, looking pale, with her hands clasped tightly.

“Good morning, Mom,” Clara said softly.

Mrs. Harrison forced a tired smile. “Morning, Clara. Did you sleep?”

“I tried,” Clara replied.

There was a knock at the door.

Both women froze.

Clara slowly walked to the door and opened it. A man in a dark jacket stood outside. He looked polite, clean, and calm—someone she had never seen before.

“Yes? How can I help you?” Clara asked.

“Good morning,” the man said, giving a small bow. “I’m here to drop this off for Mrs. Harrison.”

He handed Clara a sealed envelope.

“For who?” Clara asked sharply.

“For Mrs. Harrison,” the man repeated, still polite.

Clara exchanged a confused look with her mom. The man didn’t wait for a response. He simply nodded again and walked away calmly.

Clara shut the door and hurried to her mom.

“Mom… what is this?” she asked.

Mrs. Harrison slowly opened the envelope. Her eyes widened. “Clara… it’s money.”

“What?” Clara leaned closer.

There was a thick stack of hundred-dollar bills inside. Enough to cover the hospital bills she had been worrying about. Enough to clear part of the family’s debt.

Clara’s jaw tightened. “Who sent this? Mom, check if there’s a name.”

Mrs. Harrison looked through the envelope again. Nothing—no card, no handwriting, no clue.

Clara frowned deeply. “This is strange.”

Mrs. Harrison shook her head. “Clara… are you sure this is safe?”

“I don’t know,” Clara whispered.

She walked to the window and glanced outside, trying to see if the man was still around—but he was gone.

Her heart thumped.

A sudden thought entered her mind.

*Ryan.*

Impossible… right? He was useless. He had no job. No money. No position. No skills. He was nothing. That was what she had always told herself.

But then she remembered the hospital bill—how it had been paid quietly, without anyone taking credit. And now this envelope.

Clara pressed a hand to her chest. “No… Ryan can’t do this. He doesn’t have the ability.”

Mrs. Harrison spoke softly. “Clara… is it possible the money came from Eric?”

Clara immediately shook her head. “No, Eric wouldn’t do something like this. He’s always demanding money, not giving it.”

She sat down slowly, confusion tightening around her.

Mrs. Harrison touched her hand. “Whoever sent the help… maybe they just don’t want us to suffer.”

Clara lowered her gaze. She didn’t understand anything anymore.

**

Hours later, Clara stepped outside to clear her head. She walked down the street, hands buried in her jacket pockets. Her phone buzzed in her hand.

Unknown number.

Clara hesitated, then answered. “Hello?”

A familiar voice came through the phone—cold, calm, and steady.

“Clara.”

Her heart jumped. She froze on the sidewalk. “Ryan?”

“Yes,” he replied quietly.

Her throat tightened. For a moment, she didn’t know what to say. “Why… why are you calling?”

“To check on you,” Ryan said. “I heard things have been difficult.”

Clara swallowed hard. “How? How would you hear anything? You’re not even here.”

Ryan was silent for a second. “I have people who give me updates. I want you and your family to be safe.”

Clara’s heart skipped. “Why? Why do you care so much?”

“Because,” Ryan said softly, “you are my family.”

Clara’s breath caught. She didn’t know how to respond. The words felt too heavy.

Ryan continued, “Did someone drop something off this morning?”

Clara stiffened. “That… envelope?”

“Yes.”

Clara’s eyes widened. “Ryan… was it you? How? You don’t even—”

Ryan cut her off gently. “You don’t need to know how. Just use it to help your mom.”

Clara felt her chest warm and ache at the same time. “Ryan… why are you doing this? You left. You said nothing. You didn’t tell me where you were going…”

“I had to leave,” Ryan said quietly. “Staying in that town… it wasn’t safe for me. Not yet.”

Clara frowned. “Safe? From what?”

Ryan didn’t answer that question.

Instead, he said, “I will always protect you, Clara. Even if I’m far away.”

Clara closed her eyes tightly. Too many emotions rushed through her—confusion, guilt, warmth, frustration.

“Ryan… please just tell me the truth. Who are you really?” she whispered.

Another long silence.

Then Ryan said only one sentence:

“You will know when the time is right.”

The call ended.

Clara stood frozen, staring at her phone, unsure whether to be angry or touched… or something else entirely.

One thing was sure:

Ryan wasn’t who she thought he was.

And the feeling in her chest refused to calm.