The Useless Son In-law Is A Legend

Chapter 43

The next morning started quietly, but Clara already felt pressure sitting on her chest. The landlady had been sending warning messages since last week, and Clara knew it was only a matter of time before she showed up.

Mrs Harrison was still sick on the bed, coughing weakly. Clara kept checking her temperature while Ava boiled water in the small kitchen.

“This sickness is getting worse,” Ava said, her voice shaking. “Clara, what are we going to do now?”

Clara swallowed hard. “I don’t know… but somehow, we will manage.” She forced herself to stay calm, even though her hands were trembling. “Don’t tell Mom. She will panic.”

Just then, a heavy knock hit the door.

Ava’s eyes widened. “It’s her. The landlady.”

Clara stood up slowly, wiped her hands on her skirt, and opened the door.

The landlady entered immediately, her face tight with anger. “Clara Harrison, how long do you think I’ll wait? Two months rent. Two months! I’m tired of excuses.”

Clara forced a weak smile. “Ma, please… Eric will pay soon.”

The woman raised a brow. “Eric? That useless boy? Since when did he start paying anything?”

Clara straightened her shoulders even though her heart was shaking. “He will pay. You know his father’s company was handed over to him. Things only went bad because of the collapse, but he is trying to stand again.”

The landlady hissed. “Trying? That boy is only trying to drink and chase trouble! But fine. I will wait for one more week. Only one.”

She stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind her.

Ava let out a long breath. “Clara… why did you lie?”

“What else could I say?” Clara whispered. “If she throws us out, where will Mom stay? Outside?”

But she knew she had made a mistake. A huge one.

Because by evening, Eric heard everything.

Clara was returning from buying medicine when she heard shouting from down the street. Eric stood there in front of their house, anger burning in his eyes while neighbors watched like it was a free show.

“So you’re going around telling people I will pay your rent?” he shouted. “You? Clara, do I look like your husband? Or your father? Or your caretaker?”

Clara froze, her cheeks burning with shame. “Eric… I only—”

“You only wanted to disgrace me!” Eric screamed louder. “Look at you! Who do you think you are? You think I’ll use my money on you? Never!”

People whispered around them. Ava tried to defend her sister, but Eric pushed her words away with more insults. Clara felt her legs shaking. She wished the ground would open and swallow her.

“Let me warn you,” Eric said, pointing a finger in her face, “use my name again, and you’ll regret it.”

He walked away, leaving Clara standing in front of the whole street with tears in her eyes.

She hurried inside, fell to the floor, and finally let the sob escape her throat. Ava held her close, crying too.

Night came, and Mrs Harrison slept with a weak cough, unaware of the humiliation her daughters had faced.

But Clara didn’t know that someone else had heard everything.

One of Ryan’s men lurked in the shadows outside. He had come to check on the family as usual, but after witnessing everything, he made a silent decision.

The next morning, Clara stepped outside to get air and found a white envelope slipped under their door.

She opened it slowly.

Half of the rent money was inside.

Clara gasped, her hands covering her mouth. “Ava… Ava, look!”

Ava rushed over. “Who sent it?”

There was no name. No message. Nothing.

Clara held the envelope to her chest and whispered, “Someone out there still cares about us… even if we don’t know who.”

Far away, Ryan’s man left quietly before she could see him.

And Ryan—hidden in another town—received a short message from the man:

*“Half of the debt is cleared. They are safe for now.”*

Ryan closed his eyes, relief washing through him.

“Good,” he whispered. “Keep watching them. Don’t let anything happen to them.”

He didn’t know it, but his heart carried more worry for them than he admitted.

And Clara, still crying softly in the small living room, had no idea the man she once called useless was the one silently holding her world together.