The General's Son-in-Law

The prestigious kindergarten called to congratulate memy son had passed the interview. They asked when I'd be paying the fees.

My mind went completely blank. Three years of marriage, and I only had a daughter. Where did this son come from?

I called my wife, a diplomat, but she just laughed it off, saying it must be a scam.

After hanging up, I did something unprecedentedI requested leave from my military unit and called my father, the general.

"Dad, Alice is cheating on me. Get me the best lawyer you can find. I want her to leave with nothing!"

"Head to the diplomatic office building on the west side. Step on itI'm going to catch them in the act."

The driver's eyes lit up when he heard that.

He cranked the wheel hard, and the high-performance military SUV shot forward like an arrow.

"Hold on tight!"

What should have been over an hour's drive was compressed to twenty minutes.

The vehicle stopped smoothly outside the heavily guarded diplomatic office building, and I walked straight toward the security post.

"Hello, I'm here to see diplomat Alice."

The military officer on duty looked me up and down, his eyes full of scrutiny.

"Do you have an appointment? Alice's husband is home today and left instructions not to receive any visitors."

Alice's husband's husband?

I let out a cold laugh and pulled out my ID.

"I AM her husband. Marcus."

The officer glanced at it, looking even more confusedeven wary.

"Sir, please don't joke around like that. We see Alice's husband every day. He's the famous pianist, Jonathan."

Jonathan?

Just then, a man walked over and gave me a disdainful once-over.

"These days everyone thinks they can latch onto the powerful, huh? Alice's husband is a famous pianist. I just had afternoon tea with him."

"That outfitare you here to apply for a driver position? Unfortunately, even the drivers here dress better than you."

I remembered himthe husband of another diplomat, famous in their circle for being a snob.

My fists clenched tight. What a piece of work, Alice. What a piece of work, Jonathan!

Jonathan was a poor student I'd sponsored from the mountains, put through university, who'd cried and promised he'd repay me.

So this was how he repaid me.

I couldn't be bothered with this idiot. My gaze shifted past him to the figure hurrying out from inside.

Jonathan wore an Armani suit, and on his wrist was the Rolex watch I'd given Alice for our third anniversary.

When he saw me, the color drained from his face instantly, and he stumbled.

"Mr. Marcus, how... how did you get back?"

I crossed my arms, my eyes ice-cold.

"What, do I need to report to you when I come to my own home?"

Jonathan's face went deathly pale. He glanced nervously at the people around us who were clearly listening in, then rushed forward trying to grab my arm.

"Mr. Marcus, this isn't the place to talk. Let's go to a caf, okay? Let me explain..."

I jerked my arm away sharply.

"Explain right here. Or is there something in this house I personally designed that you don't want me to find out about?"

My voice wasn't loud, but it made Jonathan tremble all over.

He leaned in close, his voice barely a whisper.

"Mr. Marcus, it's not what you think! Alice... Alice just saw how hard I was struggling out here alone and let me stay temporarily. We're completely innocent, really!"

Did he think I was a three-year-old?

The fury in my chest burned like wildfire. I ground out through clenched teeth:

"Innocent? Then why won't you let me in? Open the door!"

Jonathan hadn't expected me to be so forceful. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead, but he refused to move.

My patience ran out completely. My voice turned ice-cold.

"I'm giving you three seconds. If you don't open that door, I'll blow it up!"

Jonathan was shaken by the killing intent in my words. He knew I wasn't joking.

With trembling hands, he finally entered the code on the door lock.

"Beep." The door opened.

I didn't spare him another glance and walked straight in.

The moment I entered, I saw that my wedding photo with Alice had been taken down.

In its place was a family portrait of Jonathan and Alice with a young boy.

In the photo, he smiled with refined elegance, every inch the master of the house.

The Italian handwoven rug I'd personally selected had been replaced with a tacky gold-patterned one.

The art pieces I'd collected from around the world were all gone.

The walls were covered with posters from Jonathan's solo piano recitals.

The air reeked of overpowering cologne that made me nauseous.

Jonathan followed behind me, watching my face grow darker and darker, still making excuses.

"Mr. Marcus, Alice only did this temporarily to help me entertain some friends from the music world. She said it would suit my status better..."

His words became more and more jumbled, his voice quieter and quieteronly adding fuel to the fire.

Just then, a four or five-year-old boy rushed down from upstairs.

He threw his arms around Jonathan's legs and held up a doll that had been torn to shreds, as if presenting a prize.

"Daddy! Look! I ripped apart that ugly doll! She can't play with it anymore!"

My gaze froze instantly.

That doll was a one-of-a-kind custom piece.

It was a birthday gift my fatherthe decorated generalhad sewn by hand for my daughter Lena.

In an instant, all the pieces fell into place.

Alice hadn't just cheated. She'd conspired with this man to take over my home and abuse my daughter!

I stared at the father and son, my voice colder than it had ever been.

"Where is my daughter Lena?"

Jonathan's expression turned instantly terrified.

But the boy remained oblivious, pointing at me arrogantly and shouting:

"Who are you, you crazy person! Get out of my house! You mean that little mute? She wouldn't behave, so Mom locked her up to think about what she did!"

Before he could finish, Jonathan frantically covered his mouth.

My brain went "boom"completely blank.

Then came towering rage and terror.

I searched frantically, every room, every corner. I left nothing unchecked.

But there was no sign of Lena anywhere.

Jonathan followed behind me, trying desperately to stop me.

His noise was driving me crazy. I shoved him to the ground.

I'd searched the entire villa. Only the tightly shut basement door remained.

A terrible thought exploded in my mind. I understood instantly and raised my foot to kick the door down.

Just then, Jonathan found strength from somewhere and threw himself forward, blocking the door with his body.

"You can't go in!"

Burning with rage, I raised my foot to kick him, roaring:

"Move! Or I'll cripple you too!"

"Stop it!"

A voice I knew all too well came from behind me. Alice.

Before I could react, she charged forward and kicked me in the stomach with her high heel.

The sharp pain sent me crashing to the floor.

She didn't even glance at me, instead helping Jonathan up tenderly into her arms.

"Jonathan, are you okay? I got a call saying some madman broke into our house. Did he hurt you?"

Jonathan leaned against her, saying nothing, just looking utterly wronged.

Alice looked at him, her heart breaking with concern, and softened her voice to comfort him.

"Don't be scared, I'm here now. Anyone who dares break into my house and hurt my husband must have a death wish..."

As she spoke, she glared viciously at me.

But her harsh words got stuck halfway through.

A crowd of diplomatic residence family members had gathered at the door, pointing and whispering about me.

"Alice, this man forced his way in and claimed to be your husband!"

"Yeah, acting completely crazy, even pushed Mr. Jonathan down. Terrifying!"

Panic flashed through Alice's eyes. She instinctively avoided my gaze.

I braced myself against the floor and stood up, staring hard at her.

"Alice, where is my daughter?"

Cold sweat slid down her temple. Jonathan keenly picked up on her emotion and immediately cried out.

"Alice, my hand hurts so much! This lunatic burst in and attacked me, tried to kick me. Look at himif you hadn't come back in time, he might have actually killed me..."

As he spoke, he secretly pinched his own arm, then pulled up his sleeve to reveal red marks.

His son immediately played along, crying loudly.

"Mommy, I'm so scared! This crazy man wanted to kill Daddy! I don't want to be a child without a father!"

Alice had been hesitating.

But seeing her beloved man and son in tears, she made up her mind instantly and turned on me viciously.

"Marcus! Apologize to Jonathan right now! I know you're bitter, but you can't resort to violence!"

I almost laughed at her words.

How could a person be this shameless?

"Are you blind? Or did a dog eat your conscience? You believe whatever he says?"

"Alice, have you forgotten? We're not divorced yet. I'M your legal husband! Do I need to pull out our marriage certificate and show everyone!"

The moment I finished speaking, Alice's face changed dramatically. She cut me off frantically.

"What nonsense are you spouting! My husband has always been Jonathan, and only Jonathan! Marcus, I know you've had it hard living alone. I've shown you plenty of kindness, but you can't develop inappropriate fantasies about me because of that, or even show up at my house to cause trouble! I've seen plenty of men like you who'll do anything to climb the social ladder! Get out of here right now!"

Climb the social ladder?

I could barely believe my ears. Was she talking about me?

If it weren't for me, she wouldn't even be sitting in that diplomatic position!

I still remember the first time she was assigned overseas.

She grabbed me excitedly at the airport, spinning in circles, whispering in my ear over and over:

"Marcus, you're my lucky charm! Marrying you is the greatest blessing of my life! I, Alice, swear to heaven I'll never betray you!"

Her vows from back then still echoed in my ears, but the face before me had become completely unrecognizable.

Rage surged through me. I lost control and lunged at her, ready to tear apart that hypocritical face.

But she had some strength after all, and I'd just endured a long journey. Caught off guard, she actually pushed me to the ground.

My head slammed hard against the marble floor. Everything spun.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Suddenly, someone started pounding on the basement door.

A weak cry came from inside.

"Daddy... is that you? I'm so hungry..."

My heart sank sharply. It was Lena! My Lena!

The surrounding neighbors erupted in discussion.

"What's going on? Why is someone locked in the basement?"

"That sounds like a little girl... Doesn't Alice's family only have a son?"

"Now that I think about it, I remember seeing Alice with a little girl before. She was really pretty, but I haven't seen her in ages."

Alice and Jonathan's faces turned deathly pale in an instant.

Under the questioning and scrutinizing gazes of everyone around them, they had no choice but to steel themselves and open the basement door.

The door had barely cracked open when an impossibly thin figure stumbled out and threw herself into my arms.

"Daddy! You finally came back! They all said... said Daddy didn't want Lena anymore..."

I held my daughter tight, tears streaming down uncontrollably.

My Lenahow had she become this thin in just a few short months?

She wore dirty, ragged old clothes. Her bare arms were covered in bruises, blue and purple.

The neighbors stood stunned, exchanging looks.

"Oh my God! Isn't this Alice's daughter? Why is she calling this man Daddy?"

"And she was locked in the basement, so thin... This is abuse! Horrifying!"

The three of them stood frozen, at a loss.

Jonathan was the first to react. He rushed over, trying to pull Lena from my arms.

"Lena, sweetie, don't call people Daddy randomly. Are you confused? Come to Daddy."

Lena struggled desperately.

"You're not my daddy! You're a bad man! You stole my mommy and locked me up! Your son tore up the doll Grandpa gave me!"

Seeing Lena cling stubbornly to me and completely ignore him, Jonathan's face cycled between red and white with anger and anxiety.

But he still had to maintain his gentle, kind image in front of everyone.

Watching the situation spiral out of control, Alice steeled her heart.

"Enough! Everyone stop!"

She took a deep breath, her face showing tragic, helpless pain.

"Everyone, family scandals shouldn't be aired publicly, but now I have no choice but to speak.

This child is actually the orphan left behind by my distant cousin who died in combat. She witnessed her mother being abused as a child and suffered severe psychological trauma. She has serious delusions and violent tendencies. When she has episodes, she randomly calls people family and self-harms or attacks others!"

"My husband Jonathan is kindhearted. He couldn't bear to see her sent to an orphanage, so he brought her home to care for her. We had no choicewe only isolate her temporarily in the basement when she has episodes, to prevent her from hurting herself and others!"

She spoke with such sincerity, with tears in her eyes.

The surrounding neighbors immediately showed understanding and sympathy.

"Oh, I see! I was wonderingAlice and Mr. Jonathan are such good people, how could they possibly abuse a child!"

"Exactly! And this lunatic came to cause trouble. What ingratitude!"

"Alice, call the police quickly! Send these two where they belong. It's too dangerous to keep them here!"

Jonathan seized the opportunity to add fuel to the fire.

He pulled Alice into his arms, looking worried as he said:

"That's right, Alice, contact the psychiatric hospital quickly! Send this lunatic to intensive care so he can't escape and hurt people again!"

His son jumped out too, pointing at Lena in my arms and shrieking:

"And her! Throw her back to the orphanage! I never want to see her again!"

A flash of viciousness crossed Alice's eyes. She immediately nodded in agreement.

My teeth nearly shattered from grinding them so hard.

I'd thought she'd only cheated and changed her heart. I never imagined she could be this vicious.

She wanted to completely destroy both me and my daughter!

Lena was so frightened she sobbed hysterically. She broke free from my arms and threw herself at Alice's legs.

"Mommy, what are you saying? I'm Lena! I'm your daughter! Please, don't send me and Daddy away!"

But the woman who once rushed to the hospital over the smallest scratch on her daughter now kicked Lena away with disgust.

"Don't touch me! Letting you freeload in my house this long was already more than generous!"

She then picked up her radio and gave a cold order to the residence security captain:

"Come to my house immediately! There's a mental patient and a little girl here. Send them to the psychiatric hospital!"

Within moments, several fully armed security personnel burst in and surrounded us.

"Really shameless, taking advantage of Alice's kindness and then biting the hand that feeds!"

"Exactly, they deserve to be sent to a mental hospital!"

Lena was terrified by this scene and burst into tears, kneeling on the ground begging Alice.

I gritted my teeth and held my daughter protectively, looking coldly at these ugly faces.

The lead security captain was about to step forward when he suddenly froze.

He stared hard at my face, his eyes full of shock and disbelief.

I met his hesitant gaze and looked at the other security personnel.

"What are you all standing around for? Arrest this diplomat scum who abused her power, cheated during marriage, abused her own child, and attempted illegal detention!"