The evening of Saoirse's birthday party arrived.

Orion and I had talked about letting his old friend Zoe stay in our newly renovated home. He said she'd been mistreated by her husband and had nowhere to go. As he explained, sympathy was written all over his face, and he held a bottle of lavender oil, ready to give her a massage.

I was furious and confronted him on the spot.

He frowned at my reaction, reprimanding, "Shouldn't you, as a woman, support another? Can't you see how much she's suffering? Doesn't it tug at your heartstrings?"

Charlie's voice chimed in from the kitchen, along with her mother's, turning the situation into a family intervention.

"As a woman, you should be generous, but also know your boundaries. Don't be so small-minded."

A few days later, I showed the three of them the door, decisively.

---

Orion ransacked the house, slamming drawers and pointing fingers as he went.

"Zoe and I have known each other since we were kids. Now that she's in trouble, how can we not help? Why are you being so selfish?"

I was taken aback, my voice quivering as I replied, "That house just got renovated. I haven’t even spent a night there myself, and now you want her to live there for a year? Seriously?"

His old flame was obviously a priority.

Frustration deepened in Orion's eyes, his voice growing ominously loud.

"Freya! Can you stop being so melodramatic?"

He took a deep breath and continued, "Why are you so jealous? There's nothing between us anymore. The only reason I'm doing this is because she's pregnant and being abused. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even consider it."

Zoe had been Orion's childhood sweetheart and also went to college with me. Back then, they were the couple everyone envied—professing love under the stars or exchanging notes in the library. But distance got in the way, and they eventually broke up.

I had always admired Orion, believing that a man so devoted would surely be loyal if we were together. I pursued him wholeheartedly, and soon enough, he became my husband.

Before we married, I asked what he’d do if his childhood sweetheart ever wanted him back.

He stroked my cheek and laughed, "Of course, I'd choose my darling wife."

But now, he was fiercely defending his childhood love.

I gripped the edge of the table, taking a deep breath. "Why does it have to be our place? Can't she find an apartment? Wouldn't a studio work?"

Orion's voice erupted, filled with frustration, his eyes glaring.

"How can you be so heartless? She's pregnant, how could she stay in some rented place? What if something happens? Will you take responsibility?"

His words hit me like a cold wave.

What's so bad about renting? Is the outside world so dangerous?

Before our wedding, Orion and his mother had rented without trouble. Why was it different for Zoe?

I rubbed my temples, my voice now softer.

"Orion, have you thought this through? Is it absolutely necessary for her to stay in our home?"

He must have noticed the change in my expression because his tone softened slightly, trying to explain again.

"It's not that I want her there. She's injured and pregnant. Even a little negligence might cause complications. If she's at our place, nearby, I can have peace of mind."

Seeing my silence, he hesitated before adding,

"Mom's going over to help her. Why don't you come too? Maybe you can offer some support?"

I couldn't help but laugh incredulously at their boldness.

Not only did they want the new house for her to live in, but they also expected Freya Bishop, my mother-in-law, to look after her—with me lending a hand as well? What nerve they had!

If it weren't for the legal bond between Orion and me, I might have thought Zoe Cruz was the one he had married.

Whenever Zoe, his childhood friend, came up in conversation, his face would soften with unbearable tenderness, as if our entire family was indebted to her. But her injuries weren't caused by me, and her child has nothing to do with my family.

With this thought, suspicion crept into my mind.

Orion noticed my fixed gaze and unusual expression. His tone became cold, as if he couldn't be bothered to explain, "Well, are you in or not? I won't waste my time."

His harsh, impatient tone for another woman showed no trace of remorse.

In an instant, it felt as if I had been drenched with ice water, chilling me to the core.

The tender words he reserved for Zoe and the disdain he showed me were worlds apart. He was indeed capable of deep affection and loyalty, just not for me.

With this realization, I stifled a bitter laugh, "If you're so set on it, then let her stay."

Orion's eyes widened in rare surprise, disbelief etched on his face.

The next moment, he pulled my hand with delight, "Thank you, sweetheart. You're amazing."

Inside, I was laughing mirthlessly.

Someone had recently expressed interest in buying that house, offering to pay in full. Back then, I couldn't bear to part with our wedding home, but now I decided to sell it and quickly messaged the buyer on my phone.

"There might be a few days of delay due to pest control," I lied effortlessly.

He paused for a moment before responding, "That's fine. Zoe can stay in a hotel for now; I've already booked her a suite."

I nodded silently, keeping my thoughts to myself.

At that moment, the door opened, revealing Orion's mom and sister, their faces brightened with relief as they chimed in.

"My daughter-in-law knows how to see the bigger picture. To keep a family peaceful and prosperous, a woman must be generous."

As if suddenly remembering, she added, "Why not choose a spa resort for Zoe? The scenery is lovely there. I'll go with Charlie."

Freya Bishop gave me a sidelong glance and feigned a casual inquiry, "Freya, doesn't your family's group own a resort? I've heard it has great views..."

Charlie nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, let's go there, sister-in-law. Mom and I will spend a few days with Zoe, and then our big brother can join us."

She spoke, her head bobbing with excitement as if they were the genuine family, with me just the host.

As though the resort belonged to the Cruz family, I was struck speechless by their presumptuousness.

Charlie's face soured when I didn't respond, and she insisted, "Sister-in-law, you'll set it up for us, right?"

Orion, worried I might change my mind about the house, hurried to smooth things over. "Your sister-in-law will call and sort it out, no problem."

He glanced at me meaningfully, trying to score points.

Finally catching on, Orion's mom grabbed Charlie, and they left the room, murmuring, "Don't worry, your sister-in-law is reliable; she'll set it all up."

In this household, my opinion carried little weight.

The three of them orchestrated everything flawlessly, leaving me no room to intervene.

As the door slammed shut, I laughed in frustration.

"Orion, you should have just married Zoe Cruz. She would take care of your precious darling, and you could all avoid this family separation."