My Husband Let His Mistress Kill His Mother

I intended to give my husband a surprise. Instead, I walked straight into a nightmare.

It was New Year's Eve. I had secretly brought my parents-in-law to Anthony's newly opened high-end restaurant, hoping to celebrate their return from abroad with a family dinner.

The service was suspiciously fast. In less than ten minutes, the table was full. But as the steam cleared, the reality was starkthese weren't fresh, chef-prepared meals. They were pre-made, industrial packets. Some of the meat still glistened with ice crystals, not even fully thawed.

My father-in-law's face darkened. He slammed his hand on the table and demanded the manager.

When she clicked her way over in high heels, my stomach dropped. It wasn't just any employee. It was Jasmine Maxwell, my husband's secretary.

"What kind of poverty-stricken trash thinks they're worthy of putting on airs here?" Jasmine crossed her arms, looking down her nose at us. "Serving you pre-made dishes is already more dignity than two old geezers like you deserve."

My in-laws sat frozen, their faces draining of color.

I stood up, my voice trembling with suppressed rage. "Jasmine Maxwell, watch your mouth. Do you have any idea who these people are?"

She scoffed. "Please. Aren't they just your deadbeat parents?"

She looked me up and down with a sneer. "It's bad enough you rely on being 'Tony darling's' wife to survive, but now you're dragging these two old leeches here to mooch off him on New Year's? Not a chance."

Before I could retort, she slapped a receipt against my chest.

"Tony darling opened this restaurant for me," she hissed. "You broke dogs better not think about getting a free ride today."

I snatched the bill from the air. A bitter laugh escaped me.

Eighty-eight thousand dollars.

For a table of frozen slop.

I didn't waste another second with her. I pulled out my phone and dialed Anthony Sanchez.

"The lapdog you keep is currently extorting your parents at the restaurant," I said the moment the line connected. "How do you intend to handle this?"

A pause. Then Anthony's voice came through, dripping with ice.

"Jasmine already briefed me. You have some nerve, Violet Henson. You brought your parents to Bay City without telling me, and now you're trying to scam a free meal?"

His tone turned sharp. "Pay the bill in full. Take them and get out. If I have to come down there, I will personally send you to jail."

My grip on the phone tightened until my knuckles went white. He thinks they're my parents?

"Anthony, listen to me"

Click.

My in-laws, close enough to hear the shouting, were trembling with fury.

"What a bastard!" my father-in-law roared.

"What did he say?" my mother-in-law asked, her voice shaking. "He wants to send us to jail?"

Knowing their fiery tempers, I tried to intervene. "Dad, Mom, please calm down. Let's go to the company headquarters and talk to him face-to-face."

"Absolutely not!" My father-in-law pulled out his own phone. "I want him down here right now. I'm going to make him fire this vixen!"

He barely dialed a digit before Jasmine snatched the phone from his hand.

"Who are you calling a vixen, you old fossil?"

With a casual flick, she dropped it into a tureen of soup. It sank with a heavy plop. She leaned over the table, pointing a manicured finger right in his face.

"You really think you're someone special? If Tony darling wasn't so soft-hearted, trash like you wouldn't even be allowed in the city, let alone this restaurant. Don't try to play the 'respect your elders' card with me."

She straightened up, glaring at me. "Violet Henson, if you know what's good for you, pay up and drag them out of here. Otherwise, things are going to get ugly."

I glanced at the elderly couple. Their chests were heaving, faces flushed a dangerous shade of red. I couldn't risk their health. I had to get them out immediately.

I pulled out my bank card and swiped it.

Transaction Declined.

I tried another. Declined.

A chill ran down my spine. Anthony hadn't just sided with his mistresshe had frozen my assets. He was letting this woman humiliate us and had cut off my lifeline to ensure I couldn't fight back.

I dialed him again. Straight to voicemail.

"I already told Tony to freeze your accounts," Jasmine laughed, the sound shrill and triumphant. She snapped her fingers, and several burly security guards emerged from the shadows.

They rolled up their sleeves, forming a wall of muscle around her.

"Manager Maxwell isn't someone you want to provoke," one guard growled, cracking his knuckles.

"That's right," another added, smirking. "Some drunk idiot cursed at her a few days ago. The boss broke the guy's leg and bankrupted his entire family."

"If you don't want to die, apologize. Now."

Jasmine preened, basking in the protection.

At that moment, the truth finally dawned on my in-laws. The woman standing before them wasn't just a rude managershe had a very specific, very intimate relationship with their son.

My father-in-law stood up, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. "Apologize? To her?"

He glared at Jasmine with the authority of a patriarch. "You uneducated little"

He never finished.

Jasmine's face twisted into a mask of rage. She grabbed a frozen ribbonfish from the nearest tablehard as a steel batonand swung it with all her strength.

The frozen fish slammed into his mouth with a sickening crunch.

"Fuck you, old man!" she screamed. "You still dare to curse me?"

My father-in-law took blow after blow until blood filled his mouth. He spat out several broken teeth with a guttural wail, then collapsed.

Terror seized me. I lunged to shield him, but security slammed me into the carpet, pinning my limbs down.

"Leon!"

Zoe rushed to save her husband, but Jasmine caught her arm in a vice grip.

"Didn't expect an old hag like you to afford Herms." Jasmine's eyes raked over her. "Your whole family's been sucking Tony dry for years, haven't you?"

"You cheap tramp!" Zoe's voice shook. "What exactly is your relationship with our Anthony?"

Even now, she refused to believe her son would cheat.

Jasmine smirked down at her. "I own this restaurant. And I'm Anthony Sanchez's current girlfriend." A cruel laugh escaped her. "Your useless daughter-in-law? On her way out."

Zoe trembled with rage. "What nonsense"

She raised her hand to slap the younger woman, but Jasmine struck first. The blow sent Zoe crumbling to the floor.

"Mom!" I screamed.

Zoe had a severe heart condition. The shock triggered it instantly. She clutched her chest, gasping, curling into a ball of agony.

"Zoe!" Leon tried to crawl toward her, dragging his battered body across the floor. Jasmine's heel came down on his hand, crushing his fingers.

I struggled against the guards. Their grip was iron.

"Are you insane?" I shrieked. "They're Anthony's parents! If anything happens to them, he'll kill you!"

Jasmine froze. The guards exchanged uneasy glances, their hold loosening slightly.

"Manager Maxwell," one ventured, "this lady does resemble Mr. Sanchez. Could she really be"

"Impossible!" Jasmine scoffed. "Tony's parents live abroad. He just told me he bought tickets to visit them."

My stomach dropped. My in-laws had been enjoying retirement overseas. They'd returned secretly to surprise their son for New Year, contacting me to pick them up.

I never imagined the surprise would become a nightmare.

Before I could explain, Leon choked down blood and pointed a trembling finger at Zoe's handbag.

"Medicine... save your mother!"

I scrambled for the bag, but Jasmine barked, "Hold her down! Gag them both. I'm calling Tony myself."

Rough hands clamped over my mouth. Jasmine dialed on speaker.

"Babe," she cooed, her voice transforming to sugar. "When you go to Canada, can I come? I want to meet your parents."

Anthony chuckled. "No. They don't know I'm divorcing Violet yet. Need to break it to them gently."

"Will they be coming back soon? I wanted to prepare a gift."

"Probably not. My mom's health is too fragile for long flights. Once we're married, I'll take you to meet them."

They exchanged a few more sickeningly sweet words before Jasmine hung up. Her face darkened instantly.

"Damn it. Almost fell for your cheap trick!"

She stormed over and slapped me. My head snapped sideways, cheek burningbut panic for Zoe consumed me.

"Please," I begged. "Her heart medication is in the bag. She's dying!"

"First you impersonate Tony's parents for a free meal, now you're faking a heart attack for compensation?"

Jasmine crouched, patting my cheek mockingly. "No money? This Herms bag will cover the bill."

She stood and waved at the guards. "Throw these grifters out."

"I want to see who dares!" Leon roared hoarsely, struggling to stand. "I am Anthony Sanchez's father!"

Jasmine kicked him in the mouth.

"Old wretch. Open your trap again and I'll shatter every tooth you have left."

"Dad!"

Red rage blurred my vision. I fought toward him, but the guards dragged me backward, shoving us all toward the exit.

The restaurant buzzed with New Year's Eve energyspices, laughter, clinking glasses. Then Jasmine raised her voice, and every head turned toward our bedraggled group.

"Everyone, look!" She pointed at us, voice dripping with theatrical outrage. "These shameless people tried to dine and dash! Not a penny to their names, yet they have the audacity to claim my restaurant serves pre-made dishes. And now they're faking illness to skip out on the bill!"

Curiosity curdled into contempt. Whispers hissed through the room.

"High-end establishment, celebrity chefpre-made dishes? Please. If you can't afford it, don't slander the business."

"Trying to scam people on New Year's Eve? How desperate can you get?"

"Old woman, drop the act. Isn't it humiliating enough getting dragged out like a sack of potatoes?"

"Look at the old geezer. One glance and you can tell he's trouble. Deserved getting his teeth knocked out."

My in-laws had lived lives of dignity. When had they ever endured such public degradation?

Zoe's face turned a terrifying purple. Her body seized, convulsed violently, then went completely limp against the floor.

"Wife!"

"Mom!"

My father-in-law and I screamed together, voices cracking. We begged the crowd for help, and finally, the severity pierced through their prejudice.

"Wait" a diner muttered. "That looks like a real heart attack."

A man identifying himself as a doctor pushed through. He dropped to his knees and peeled back Zoe's eyelids.

"Pupils dilating. This is critical." He looked up urgently. "Nitroglycerin? Any heart medication? Now!"

I struggled against Jasmine's grip. "Let me go! I need to get her medicine!"

"Save the drama." Jasmine rolled her eyes. "If I let you go, you'll just attack me again."

"She's dying!"

The doctor began chest compressions. Someone finally dialed emergency services.

The security guards shifted uneasily. "Manager Maxwell, if something happens to the old woman, we could be liable..."

Jasmine's expression didn't waver. "They brought this on themselves. Came here to cause troublewhatever happens, they deserve it." She tossed her hair back. "Besides, my boyfriend is the CEO of the Sanchez Group. With Anthony behind me, what's there to fear?"

Hearing his son's name used as a shield for murder, my father-in-law raised a trembling hand. He opened his mouth to curse, but no sound came. Rage choked him. His eyes rolled back and he collapsed, hitting the ground with a sickening thud.

"Dad!"

Sirens wailed closer until the ambulance screeched to a halt outside. Paramedics rushed in, and with the crowd's help, my in-laws were lifted onto stretchers.

Jasmine leaned in close, smirking. "You should be grateful those two old relics know how to play dead. Otherwise"

I didn't let her finish.

Blinded by fury, I grabbed a wine bottle from the nearest table and smashed it over her head.

Glass shattered. Wine and blood sprayed into the air.

Jasmine clutched her head, screaming as she crumbled to the floor.

"Violet! What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

Anthony stormed in, eyes widening at the scene.

I pointed at the stretchers. "This bitch caused Mom's heart attack! Dad was so angry he collapsed! Does she deserve to live?!"

Anthony froze. For a split second, his gaze flickered toward his parents.

"Tony... darling..." Jasmine's weak, tearful voice pulled him back. She reached out with a blood-slicked hand, grasping his pant leg. "Violet refused to pay... she hit me... Those two were pretending to be sick to escape the check..."

The security guards chimed in like a rehearsed choir. "Yes! Mr. Sanchez, don't be fooled!"

The hesitation in Anthony's eyes vanished. He knelt to support Jasmine, then looked up at me, gaze ice-cold.

"You'd better pray she's fine," he spat. "If she isn't, your entire family will pay."

He turned to the guards. "Get her to the ambulance. Now."

The paramedics and the doctor were dumbfounded.

"Sir, that's impossible!" The doctor gestured to my in-laws. "These patients are criticalthey need immediate transport. The woman has a head injury, but she's stable. Let the elderly go first!"

Jasmine let out a sharp wail, clutched her head tighter, and went limp in Anthony's arms.

His expression darkened. "Can't you see she's unconscious? Drive. Now."

"But sir"

"If anything happens to her," Anthony cut in, voice low and dangerous, "Mercy General can forget the Sanchez Group's donation next year. Understand?"

The threat hung heavy. The nurse paled, gritted her teeth, and slammed the ambulance doors shut.

I watched in horror as the vehicle sped awaysirens wailing, carrying the woman who caused all thiswhile my dying in-laws lay on the cold pavement, waiting.

The doctor left behind at the restaurant scrambled to find transportation, his face pale with urgency.

Rage boiled through me. I raised my phone to snap a pictureevidence to force Anthony's eyes open.

Before I could focus, a heavy boot slammed down. A security guard snatched the device and crushed it under his heel.

"Mr. Sanchez's orders," he growled. "No photos. No videos. Unless you want to make an enemy of the Sanchez Group."

He turned to the crowd. "Cooperate, and all bills today are twenty percent off."

The diners complied instantly, heads bowing as they deleted the evidence.

I retrieved my phone from the asphaltscreen shattered, display dead.

The second ambulance finally screamed to a halt. I climbed in, clutching my father-in-law's hand as we sped toward Mercy General.

"Acute myocardial infarction," the doctor shouted over the siren. "Critical. She needs immediate surgery."

Beside me, my father-in-law stirred. Hearing the diagnosis, a sob tore from his throat before his eyes rolled back.

"Stroke indicators!" a paramedic yelled. "Vitals crashing!"

Thirty minutes later, I stood outside the ICU clutching two critical condition notices. My hands trembled.

They only wanted to surprise their son.

A nurse marched over. "Ma'am, we need the deposit immediately. Surgery cannot proceed without payment."

I reached for my wallet, then froze. Anthony had frozen everything. I didn't have a cent.

The elevator dinged.

Anthony stepped out, supporting Jasmine. Her head was wrapped in dramatic bandages, and she leaned into him, playing the fragile victim.

"Anthony!" I lunged toward them, waving the notices. "Mom and Dad are in the ICU! Sign the papers!"

He didn't glance at the forms. "Why should I finance your parents' medical bills? Read the prenup. Your family's debts are not my problem."

"They're your parents!" My voice cracked. "They came back to surprise you! Jasmine humiliated them until your mother's heart gave out!"

I pointed at his mistress. "Are you going to watch them die because of her?"

Anthony blinked. A flicker of panic crossed his face. He reached for the papers.

Jasmine's hand shot out, catching his wrist. "She's lying, Tony. Those two old beggars tried to scam us for a free meal. How could they be your noble parents?"

She glared at me. "Darling, don't be fooled."

The doubt in Anthony's eyes vanished. He withdrew his hand.

"If you claim they're my parents, I'll see for myself."

"They're in the ICU!" I cried. "You can't waltz in! Just call them!"

"Where is the family of Ms. Zoe Larson?"

The nurse's shout cut through like a blade.

Zoe Larson. His mother's name.

Anthony's expression shattered. He snatched the papers, scanning until his eyes landed on the patient's name.

"Zoe Larson..." he whispered. "These really have my parents' names..."

"Tony, no!" Jasmine dug her nails into his arm. "It's a trick! This bitch knows your mother's name. She put it on the forms to scare you into paying!"

The nurse rushed up to me. "You're Ms. Larson's daughter, correct? We need ECMO immediately. It's her only chance. Come pay now!"

I had no time for dignity.

I dropped to my knees on the cold tiles.

"Husband, please." Tears spilled over. "That's your mother inside. I'm begging you. Save her."

In three years, I had never bowed to him. Never begged.

Anthony looked down, conflict warring in his gaze. The papers shook in his hand. He opened his mouth

Jasmine let out a sharp wail and clutched her head.

"Tony, honey! My head... it feels like it's splitting open! Save me!"

Jasmine's eyes rolled back and she crumpled to the floor.

Anthony didn't hesitate. He scooped her up and bellowed for a doctor.

I lunged forward, grabbing for his arm. "Anthony, wait"

He kicked me back. Hard.

"Get lost!" His face twisted with fury. "Look what you did to Jasmine! And you still want money? In your dreams!"

He bullied the staff into prioritizing herunconscious, nothing moreand they rushed her into the ER, slamming the doors in my face.

Shut out. Abandoned.

I sprinted to the ICU and dropped to my knees before the attending physician.

"Please." My forehead hit the cold floor. "Save her first. I'll get the money."

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Sanchez." His voice was pained but firm. "ECMO requires prepayment. I can't override the system. Find the funds. Now."

I borrowed a nurse's phone. My hands shook so badly I could barely dial.

"Mom, Dad, please..."

They didn't ask questions. The transfer came instantly.

But the moment the notification pinged, the red light above the ICU went dark.

The doctor stepped out, peeling off his mask. He couldn't meet my eyes.

"I'm sorry. Your mother-in-law didn't make it."

My mind blanked. A hollow ringing filled my ears as the doors swung open and a gurney rolled out. A white sheet covered the body.

"Mom!"

The scream tore from my throat. The exhaustion, the fear, everything I'd been holding backit erupted at once.

The world tilted. Darkness swarmed my vision.

I collapsed.

When I woke, antiseptic burned my nose. A nurse stood nearby, speaking softly. Zoe's body was in the morgue. Leon had stabilized, but he was too fragile for shockswe couldn't tell him his wife was dead.

I felt hollowed out. A shell.

"Can I use your phone again?"

I logged into WeChat. The first thing I saw was a video from Jasmine.

I pressed play.

A luxury hospital suite. Anthony and Jasmine tangled on the bed, locked in a passionate embrace. He kissed her deeply while clothes lay scattered across the flooroblivious to the tragedy he'd just caused.

Then came her messages.

[Jasmine: Bitch. I pretended to faint and Tony dropped your mother's medical fees like hot garbage.]

[Jasmine: Is the old hag dead yet? She really deserved it. Hahahaha.]

Grief burned away. What replaced it was colder. Sharper.

I opened the photo gallery. The nurse had taken a picture of Zoe moments after she passedeyes still wide open, staring at nothing, unable to find peace even in death.

I attached that image to Jasmine's video and screenshots.

[Violet: Open your eyes. Your mistress killed your mother.]

Meanwhile, at the restaurant.

Jasmine had demanded discharge, claiming she needed fish head soup to recover. Anthony catered to her every whim, feeding her spoonful by spoonful.

A waiter approached. "Manager Maxwell? This bag was left by the table that... well, the ones who didn't pay yesterday. What should we do with it?"

Jasmine didn't look up. "Keep the bag. Trash everything inside."

Anthony paused. "What bag?"

She smirked and held up the Herms. "This one. Limited edition. That bitch Violet must've used your money to buy her mother a luxury bag. The old woman really deserved to die."

Anthony snatched it from her hands.

The leather felt sickeningly familiar. His gaze dropped to the zipper pull.

Engraved in the metal: Jasmine.

His blood ran cold.