They even threatened to throw Minnie outside. The poor little thing grew even more anxious and depressed, trembling helplessly in my arms.
Adrian glanced at me apologetically, clearly about to say something, when my mother-in-law's eyes darted around, and she instantly slipped into her dramatic act.
"Adrian, I'm hungry," she whined in a theatrical voice. "Hurry and tell your wife to cook for me. I want abalone, lobster, and chicken wings."
Right on cue, Tiffany jutted her lips out. "And I want steak and pig trotters."
On the bed, Randall rolled over lazily. Two black footprints smeared across the clean sheets.
"I want steak and pork belly," he added, as casually as if he were placing an order at a restaurant.
All three pairs of eyes fixed on me with the same arrogant expectation, determined to put me in my place and remind me where they believed I belonged.
In my past life, this had been exactly how they suppressed me on their very first day here.
Back then, I had naïvely thought, 'They only come once a year, and it's the New Year. Making them a nice meal isn't too much to ask.'
I had been working alone in the kitchen for ages, preparing a lavish feast. But no matter how good the food was, it could never tame those ungrateful wolves.
When I stayed silent, Adrian stepped forward, clasped my hand, and pleaded softly, "Denise, give my parents some face. Could you cook just one meal? Do it for me."
A cold laugh echoed inside my heart. 'For whom? Certainly not for this ungrateful beast.'
Still holding his hand, I tightened my grip and said evenly, "I'd love to cook for everyone, I really would. But my mom just called and asked me to go home. She said my dad accidentally injured his leg. I have to take care of him for a few days. Look, I've already packed."
Only then did Adrian seem to notice the luggage by the door.
His expression darkened immediately. "Denise, can't you stay? Ask your mom to manage for a while. It's almost New Year's. Can't we spend it together as a family and talk about it afterward?"
'This cruel bastard! Is New Year's more important than my father? To hell with the New Year,' I said inwardly.
Carol burst out next, her voice sharp with outrage. "What do you mean, go home? Denise, you'd better remember you are now a daughter-in-law of the Brooks family. Once married, you follow your husband. It's only your first year of marriage, and you're already running back to your maiden home? What kind of behavior is that? You aren't allowed to leave."
Tiffany chimed in immediately, pouting as she piled on. "Exactly. If you go, who's going to serve us? You still need to cook for us, wash dishes, and mop floors. You are not allowed to leave."
As I looked at this self-righteous family, all I could see were hideous demons baring their fangs.
