The Hidden Heir

"Jeremy, how many times do I have to tell you? You're a Thomas now." Stella Clark, Jeremy's mother-in-law, her plump face pinched with displeasure, directed her sharp voice at him. Jeremy, sitting in his wheelchair, was long accustomed to her barbs. He'd endured three years of being the Thomas family's black sheep.

"You can barely take care of yourself without my daughter. And you're worried about your grandma?" Stella continued, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Doesn't she have other family? Why is this your problem?"

"Mom, Jeremy was raised by his grandma. It's only natural he wants to help her now that she's sick," Avery Thomas, Jeremy's wife of three years, interjected. As the less-favored daughter in the Dreamville Thomas family, she was used to defending Jeremy.

"Shut up, Avery! When did I give you permission to speak? You're nothing but a drain on this family. I told you to divorce him! He's dead weight; you'll be taking care of him forever. If you care even a little about me, stop dragging him around like some embarrassing pet," Stella snapped.

She'd never liked Jeremy. Back when he was a decorated army captain with a promising future, the Thomas family had welcomed him. His parents were deceased, and he'd been raised by his grandmother, but his military success had made him a desirable match.

Then came the war, and the wedding-day deployment. He returned a broken man. His injuries were a source of shame for the Thomases, a family obsessed with appearances.

"Mom, when Jeremy came back, he received a substantial settlement. He's only asking for $100,000 for his grandma's medical expenses. Why are you being so heartless?" Avery pleaded.

"How dare you!" Stella exploded. "You think money grows on trees? His meds, his food, everything costs money! You don't work, so who do you think has been footing the bill for the past three years? That money's long gone." She paused, then added, "Tell you what. Divorce him, and I'll give him the $100,000 for his grandma."

Avery, who'd been secretly working odd jobs to cover their expenses because Stella provided next to nothing, felt tears prick her eyes.

"Avery, Mom's right. You were Dreamville's 'It Girl.' Marrying this cripple was a huge mistake," Avery's brother, Teddy, a spoiled playboy with an inflated sense of self-importance, chimed in. The truth was, the Thomas family's wealth wasn't as impressive as they liked to pretend. Their assets were under a billion, and Avery's father was only the third son. Any inheritance was far from guaranteed. In fact, Stella had already squandered most of Jeremy's settlement money on Teddy.

"Orion Johnson is still interested. He promised a hefty sum if you marry him. Mr. Johnson is serious, Avery. Divorce Jeremy, marry Johnson. Think of it – a pampered wife in the Johnson family!" Teddy continued.

Stella nodded in agreement. "Teddy's right. Mr. Johnson doesn't care about your past. Marry him, have kids, your life will be set." She softened her tone slightly, "Look, divorce him, and I'll give him $30,000. That's more than enough for him and his grandma."

Avery couldn't believe they were still pushing her to leave Jeremy for a rich man. "Mom," she said firmly, "I am not divorcing Jeremy!"

"Fine!" Stella yelled. "Then neither of you will see a dime from me. You're on your own!"

Teddy sneered at Jeremy. "Still think you can take care of her, cripple? You're dragging her down. If you had any decency, you'd leave her alone." He added cruelly, "If I were you, I'd just off myself. Living is a disgrace." He'd never considered Jeremy family; to him, Jeremy was less than dirt.

"He's right," Stella added, her voice venomous. "Even a dog is useful. You're good for nothing!"

Jeremy, silent until now, felt a flicker of resolve harden in his eyes. Three years. Three years of escalating abuse. He, the StormDragon, had endured this humiliation, patiently recovering, waiting to return to the battlefield and uncover the truth behind the events that had shattered his life. The betrayal of StormDragon in Avalonia had become international news; his name was cursed throughout the land. He had died fighting the Eight-Nation Alliance's top ten Warrior Deities, only to be brought back by the MedicSage, his soul inhabiting the body of a dying captain—Jeremy. The real Jeremy was gone. This body now housed the former pillar of Avalonia, the one branded a traitor and collaborator.

"Mom," Jeremy said, his voice quiet but steady, "for Avery's sake, I still call you Mom. Avery has been incredible these past three years. I am not ungrateful. When I get back on my feet, I will repay her kindness." Only he knew the extent of Avery's care, her unwavering patience, her sleepless nights watching over him. To say she deserved better was an understatement. He had inherited this life, and he would live it, as Jeremy. He would uncover the conspiracy that had framed him, piece by piece. Three years had passed. It was time.

Teddy laughed. "Get back on your feet? You're delusional! Avery's stuck with you for life. You want to repay her? Divorce her!"

Avery, furious, rounded on Teddy. "He's your brother-in-law! How can you be so cruel?"

Stella sneered. "Teddy's right. The best thing Jeremy can do for Avery and this family is to die. There's a big difference between a dead husband and a divorced one!"