My Valentine Surprise Exposed the Secret My Husband Was Hiding Chapter 04

My Valentine Surprise Exposed the Secret My Husband Was Hiding Chapter 04

The next morning, I was up early, ready to face whatever was coming.

Zane’s relatives arrived before noon. They all seemed pleased when they saw me. His Uncle Bob chimed in with a compliment. “Zane’s got good taste—snagged himself a great girl early on.”

“And this kid actually kept the marriage a secret from us? Made us wait till now to meet you, Susie. When he gets back, I’m gonna give him a piece of my mind.”

He was beaming. I just smiled and said nothing.

His Aunt Patty grabbed my hand and, within a few questions, had pried out all the details about my background. I let her, of course—I’d planted some of it on purpose.

When I let it slip that I was an heiress, their eyes lit up. Their tone shifted, got warmer, more eager.

Every word out of their mouths was dripping with envy for Zane.

“Zane’s so lucky—such a beautiful girl, and from a good family too.”

“Brenda, when your family hits it big, don’t forget about us less well-off relatives.”

Zane’s Aunt Patty shouted toward the kitchen, but his mom was busy cooking lunch and didn’t hear.

Then his cousin Megan walked over. She stared at me, confused. “You’re not Susie. Who the hell are you?”

The room went dead quiet. The only sound was Brenda’s spatula scraping against the pan in the kitchen. The warm buzz from moments ago froze solid.

“Megan, what are you talking about?” Aunt Patty cut in. “Zane said he was bringing Susie home this year.”

“They already got the marriage certificate. Your aunt saw it yesterday. You think she’d lie?”

“She’s been reading too much—she doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Don’t mind her, Susie.”

Since they’d found out about my family money, every word they said came with a hint of flattery.

Aunt Patty yanked Megan aside and muttered at her to apologize.

“Mom, she’s not Susie! You’re all being played.”

“I had lunch with Susie not long ago. Don’t you remember? That scarf around your neck—Susie gave it to you.”

When no one believed her, Megan spun around and snapped at me, “Who are you really? What’s your game, coming here and lying to my family? I’m calling Zane right now. He’ll expose you.”

She pulled out her phone to dial. I just watched her, calm. I wanted to know too—who was I? Was I their daughter-in-law or not?

No one knew what to say. No one knew who to believe.

She’d just hit dial when a knock came at the door—along with the sound of a phone ringing right outside.

“Zane’s back. You’re done.”

She snorted, spun around, and ran to the door.

The relatives’ expressions shifted. All eyes locked on the doorway, waiting for Zane to walk in.

“Susie! You made it! Get in here—there’s some woman inside pretending to be you.”

Two familiar figures stepped through the door. Zane froze when he saw me. “Babe—Rory? What are you doing here? Since when?”

I didn’t answer. I was too busy staring at the woman hiding behind him.

“Mom, see? I told you she’s a fraud. This is the real Susie.”

Megan grabbed the trembling woman and yanked her into full view.

She looked terrified. Panicked. Small.

I smiled.

“Stepmom, don’t you have better things to do on New Year’s Day than show up at my husband’s house? Like maybe keeping my dad company?”