The Worthless Son-in-law Is A Billionaire

Chapter 2

Ethan's POV

I spent the whole day moving like a ghost through Carter Technologies, pushing my cleaning cart down the shiny hallways. My back ached from mopping the executive floors, but my mind stayed sharp. 

Jason’s words from the morning still rang in my ears. Tonight everything changes. 

What does he even mean by that? 

By evening, the mansion was alive with a lot of activity. Lights glowed everywhere. Expensive cars filled the driveway. 

I stood in the guest room, staring at the plain black suit Victoria had thrown at me earlier. “Wear this and don’t embarrass us more than you already do,” she had said. 

The suit was obviously cheap and tight around my shoulders, but I put it on anyway. 

I was halfway through buttoning my jacket when a soft knock sounded at the door. 

I paused, fingers still on the buttons, and waited in silence. A bitter part of me expected the door to open and reveal yet another insult wrapped in a different voice, another reminder of exactly where I stood in this house.

But instead, Sophia stepped inside, and a sigh of relief escaped me.

She looked beautiful in a long red evening gown that hugged her figure. Her hair was pinned up neatly, and the familiar scent of peony and vanilla followed her into the room. For a moment, just looking at her made something warm stir in my chest.

“Ethan,” she said quietly, closing the door behind her. “About last night… I’m so sorry. Mother was out of line. I think I should have said more.”

I turned to face her. “You always say that, Sophi. But when she grabs me or insults me, you stay quiet. I’m your husband. Does that still mean anything to you?”

She stepped closer and touched my arm. “It does. These five years haven’t been easy for either of us. The family pressure… It's heavy. So heavy on me. But tonight is our anniversary. Maybe we can enjoy one night without fighting.”

I searched her soft eyes, part of me wanting to believe her. 

“I still love you, Sophia. That’s why I stay. But love shouldn’t feel like this every day.”

Before she could answer, the door flew open again. 

Jason swaggered in, grinning like he owned the world. “There you are, janitor boy. Mom wants you downstairs right now. Guests are arriving, and she doesn’t want you hiding like a rat.”

Sophia frowned. “Jason, not tonight. It’s our party.”

Jason laughed and slapped my shoulder hard. “Our party? It’s the Carter family party, and this loser is just the entertainment. Come on, Ethan. Time to smile and clean up after the real people.”

“Sophi, its fine… I'll go with him.” 

“Coming too,” she said, glancing at me briefly before her gaze hardened as it settled on Jason.

They headed downstairs, and I followed in silence.

The grand ballroom was already packed with guests—business partners in tailored suits, socialites glittering with jewelry, and reporters clutching cameras. 

The moment I stepped inside, heads turned. A wave of whispers spread through the crowd almost instantly.

“Look, it’s the janitor husband.”

“Still can’t believe Sophia married that.”

I barely kept my head high and walked to the side of the room. 

Sophia gave me a small smile before her mother pulled her away to greet important guests. 

Victoria looked like a queen in her sparkling black dress, smiling brightly for the cameras while shooting me cold glances.

Alexander, one of the company executives, walked up to me with a drink in his hand. 

“Ethan, my man. Still sweeping floors? When are you going to get a real job and stop living off your wife?”

I looked at him calmly. “I do what I need to do, sir.”

He laughed loudly, drawing more eyes. “That’s the spirit! Keep dreaming small.”

The night dragged on with more of the same—Jason kept bringing his friends over to mock me. “Hey guys, meet my brother-in-law. Best janitor in Los Angeles. He once cleaned my shoes for free!” 

They all burst out laughing. 

I stood there, taking it, my fists tight at my sides.

Sophia came over once during a quiet moment. “Ethan, please don’t let them get to you. Let’s just get through this.”

“I’m trying,” I said. “For you.”

But inside, the weight grew heavier. I had chosen this hidden life to stay close to her, to see real love without money changing things. Tonight was showing me the painful truth again.

Finally, Victoria stepped onto the small stage at the front of the ballroom. 

The lights dimmed a bit, and a waiter handed her a microphone. The crowd quieted down. Jason pushed me forward until I stood near the front, right in everyone’s view. 

“What is wrong with you?" I breathed, my cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.

Jason snorted, smiled sheepishly, and said. “You are, Ethan." His voice dripped with ridicule.

Sophia sat at a table close by, looking nervous.

Victoria smiled sweetly at first, but her eyes were sharp. 

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming to celebrate five years of my daughter Sophia’s marriage. What a journey it has been.”

People clapped politely. 

Victoria continued, her voice growing stronger. “When Sophia first brought Ethan home, I thought maybe he had some hidden talent. But five years later… well, let’s be honest.”

She turned and looked directly at me. One by one, the others followed her gaze until every eye in the room was fixed on me. The whispers faded, and an uneasy silence settled over the ballroom.

“Ethan Black is nothing but a parasite. A janitor who cleans our company hallways during the day and lives off my daughter’s hard work at night. He has no ambition, no money, no future. He is the biggest mistake this family has ever made.”

Gasps and chuckles rippled through the crowd. My face stayed calm, but my heart pounded.

Victoria kept going, her voice rising. 

“Every day he embarrasses us. The staff laughs at him. Business partners pity us. He is worthless. A complete failure who tricked my daughter into marriage. Sophia deserves better. Tonight, I say enough!”

She pointed at me with a sharp jab of her long, manicured nail. “Sophia, divorce this useless man immediately. Sign the papers tomorrow and free yourself from this shame!”

The room exploded with whispers and some open laughter. Cameras flashed. Jason clapped loudly from the side. Sophia looked frozen in her seat, eyes wide but mouth closed.

I stood there, feeling every word like a knife. 

Victoria stepped down from the stage, still holding the microphone in one hand. A waiter brought forward the large anniversary cake—beautiful white layers with our names written in gold. She picked up a big slice with her other hand.

“Now, let’s make this official,” she announced with a cruel smile. “Ethan, this is what you deserve.”

She walked straight toward me, cake raised high. The crowd leaned forward, phones out, ready to capture everything. Sophia finally stood up halfway, but Victoria was too fast.

I looked at my wife one last time, hoping she would speak up. But she stayed silent.

Victoria stopped right in front of me, eyes blazing with triumph. “Goodbye, parasite.”

She swung the cake forward toward my face.