The Useless Son In-law Is A Legend

Chapter 36

The house felt unusually quiet that morning. Clara’s mother, Mrs. Harrison, moved around the living room with tired steps, picking up the remote, dusting the table, and arranging the cushions again and again as if she was trying to distract herself. Ava sat on the couch, scrolling through her phone, but even she looked unsettled.

Ryan still hadn’t returned to town.

Even though her mother kept pretending everything was fine, the silence in the house felt heavier than before. Ava finally put her phone aside and looked at her mother.

“Mom… are you okay?” she asked softly.

Mrs. Harrison forced a smile. “I’m fine. Just thinking about Ryan. It’s been so long.”

Ava sighed. “I know. But… at least he paid for Dad’s treatment even when he was gone. That says something.”

Mrs. Harrison looked away quickly, her eyes moist. She wiped them and tried to steady herself. “He has always had a good heart,” she whispered. “Even when he was treated poorly.”

Ava wanted to ask more—like why Clara hated him so much, or why their father left—but she didn’t want to trigger another heavy silence.

Just then, a loud knock came at the door.

Mrs. Harrison froze. Ava looked up sharply.

“Are we expecting anyone?” Ava asked.

“No,” her mother replied, walking slowly to the door. Her steps were tense, almost nervous.

She opened it—and gasped softly.

Standing outside was a man in a dark jacket and cap, his face calm but serious. Ava didn’t recognize him at all.

“Good morning,” the man said politely. “Is this the Harrison residence?”

“Yes… it is,” Mrs. Harrison answered, confused. “How may I help you?”

The man lowered his head respectfully. “I’m here from Mr. Ryan.”

Ava stood up instantly. “Ryan? He sent you?”

The man nodded. “Yes. He wanted me to check on all of you. To be sure you are safe.”

Mrs. Harrison pressed a hand to her chest. “Safe? Why… why would we not be safe?”

The man hesitated. “There have been movements around your neighborhood. Some unfriendly faces. We don’t know who they are yet.”

Ava felt a cold shiver run through her.

“Are you saying someone is watching us?” she asked.

“Not exactly. But Mr. Ryan wanted us to make sure nothing happens to your family. He said to tell you he’s keeping his eyes open.”

Mrs. Harrison became pale. “Why would someone want to harm us? What is going on?”

The man remained calm. “Ma’am, I don’t have all the details. I only follow instructions. And my instruction is to protect this house quietly.”

Ava stepped closer. “Did Ryan tell you when he’s coming back?”

The man shook his head. “No. But he said he’s fine. And he said you shouldn’t worry. He’ll reach out when the time is right.”

Mrs. Harrison let out a slow breath, one hand on the doorframe for support.

“I’m grateful he still thinks about us,” she murmured.

The man nodded. “He also said to stay away from unnecessary trouble. Especially with… certain people.”

Ava frowned. “Who?”

The man paused. “Eric.”

Mrs. Harrison stiffened. “Eric? The cousin?”

Ava crossed her arms. “Why is Ryan warning us about him again?”

The man lowered his voice. “Because Eric has been involved in things he shouldn’t be involved in. And Ryan believes he might drag your family into a mess if he gets desperate.”

Mrs. Harrison swallowed hard. “Does Ryan know something we don’t?”

“More than you think,” the man replied. “And he told me to warn Eric if he comes near this house again.”

Ava exchanged a worried look with her mother.

The man reached into his pocket and pulled out a small card.

“This is my number. If anything happens, call me immediately. Don’t hesitate.”

Mrs. Harrison accepted the card with trembling fingers.

The man tipped his head politely. “I’ll be around the area. You may not see me, but I will see everything.”

Then he walked away.

Ava slowly closed the door, her heart pounding.

“Mom… this is serious,” she whispered.

Mrs. Harrison went to sit down, her hands shaking. “Why is Ryan doing all this? Why does he care so much? He’s not even here…”

Ava sat beside her, placing a reassuring hand on her mother’s arm.

“Because Ryan is not the useless person Clara always claimed,” Ava said quietly. “He’s been protecting us behind the scenes.”

Mrs. Harrison looked toward the window, her eyes filling with fear and hope at the same time.

“I just want him to come home,” she whispered.

Ava nodded softly. “Me too.”

She didn’t notice Clara coming down the stairs until she spoke from behind them.

“What was that about? Who was at the door?”

Ava and her mother froze for a moment.

Ava turned around slowly.

“A messenger,” she said carefully. “From Ryan.”

Clara’s expression hardened instantly. “What did he want?”

Ava didn’t want to say too much. “He just sent someone to check on us.”

Clara rolled her eyes. “Typical. Always pretending to be important even when he’s far away.”

Ava didn’t argue. It wasn’t the right time.

Clara walked past them with a careless toss of her hair. “Well, whatever he’s planning, I hope he doesn’t bring trouble for us.”

Ava watched her sister walk away, then whispered under her breath:

“Trouble isn’t coming from Ryan… it’s coming for him.”

She didn’t notice her mother tightening her grip on the card and silently praying Ryan would stay safe, wherever he was.

The house went quiet again—but not the same kind of quiet as before.

This silence was filled with warning.