“Not really, and that’s why I said he can still change his mind if he’s not satisfied.”
Gael was so confused and surprised that he scoffed. What kind of mother is this? Every mother I know would try to conceal their daughter’s bad character, not speak ill of her in the presence of her in-laws, he thought to himself.
“It’s alright,” Charles intervened. “We’re here to celebrate this union, not make it awkward.”
“That’s true,” Gael agreed. “Let’s just enjoy this moment. But I’d also love to know more about the man my sister married. I want to be sure you’ll take care of her.”
“Aww, that’s so sweet of you,” Ashley said ironically, eyeing Alice.
“I think you two should have a moment,” Patricia added, beckoning Alice to take him away.
Alice stood up, smiling, and motioned for Christian to follow her.
I knew it. I was always going to be replaced. I knew it wasn’t going to last. He’s going to follow her, and I’ll be back to being a maid in their house, Clarisse thought, closing her eyes as her breath quickened. She clenched her fists tightly, her heart aching. Tears gathered behind her closed eyelids, threatening to fall. She had expected Christian to stand up and follow Alice. She wasn’t disappointed, but she still couldn’t understand why it hurt so much.
Why is the universe so against me? This life is so unfair… so unfair, she cried internally, still keeping her eyes closed.
“Please follow me,” she heard Alice’s smiling voice say.
“You’re not expecting me to leave my woman to follow you, are you?” Christian said coldly.
“You’re not expecting me to leave my woman to follow you, are you?” Christian said coldly.
“Huh?” Alice stood still, surprised. Did he just call her his woman? she thought, and she hated it so much.
Christian turned to Patricia. “Aren’t you close to your daughter? And aren’t you close with your sister?” he asked, maintaining his cool and aloof demeanor.
“Of… of course, we are close,” Patricia stammered, getting intimidated.
“And yet you don’t know your own daughter’s character?” Christian pressed.
“Of course I do.”
“Then how is it so different from what you’ve said? She’s so well-mannered, cultured, respectful, and above all, exceptionally beautiful. But it’s so different from what you’ve called her,” he attacked.
Patricia was at a loss for words, while Ashley and Sharon smirked.
That’s my son, that’s my brother, they both thought to themselves.
Clarisse was surprised. She opened her eyes slowly and looked at Christian, who was busy defending her. She hadn’t expected that at all.
“And you,” Christian turned to Alice, “don’t you think it’s rude to demand your sister’s husband’s attention without asking for your sister’s permission?”
“Huh? I… um…” Alice stammered.
“Apologize to her.”
“What?!” she exclaimed, feeling like she had just heard something forbidden. She turned to Patricia, confused and disturbed.
“Haha, it’s… it’s not like I don’t know my daughter… I was just looking after her,” Patricia defended herself awkwardly.
“By suggesting a second option?” Christian glared at her.
“Um… no, of course not,” Patricia tried to cover up with awkward laughter.
“You still haven’t apologized to her,” Christian insisted, turning to Alice, who was visibly pissed and felt wronged. Patricia pinched her to make her comply.
Me? Apologize for that? No way, Alice thought.
“It’s either you apologize to my wife now, or consider this dinner over,” Christian stated firmly.
“What?!” Alice couldn’t believe it.
Patricia pinched her even harder, and she bit her lips in frustration. “Sorry,” Alice muttered, almost in tears, but Christian looked away.
“I respect my in-laws deeply, but know that I won’t tolerate even the slightest disrespect towards my wife,” he said, looking at them.
“I’m so sorry if they offended you,” Ferdinand said politely. “I’m sure they didn’t mean it. Please pardon my wife and daughter. We shouldn’t ruin the night with this.”
“That’s true,” Sharon agreed, nodding at the chief maid to begin serving. The maids then entered and started serving the food.
Clarisse still hadn’t recovered from what had just happened. Christian standing up for her felt like she had fallen into a dream. She then realized he hadn’t let go of her hand the entire time, and before she knew it, a tear fell down her cheek.
Christian noticed and moved closer to her, whispering, “Are you okay? Want to get out of here?”
She found herself nodding without thinking.
Christian turned to the others. “My wife isn’t feeling well. I’d like her to get some rest,” he told them.
“Oh goodness! Are you okay, Clarisse?” Sharon asked, looking concerned, while Patricia and Alice glared at her with barely concealed hostility.
“It’s… it’s just a stomach ache,” Clarisse mumbled.
“I’ll make sure we make it up to you,” Christian said, helping her up.
“Sorry, darling,” Sharon said with a sympathetic smile. “I’ll pack some food for you.” She instructed the maid to quickly pack some, “It’s homemade food, you’ll enjoy it.”
“Thank you, m…mum?” Clarisse said carefully, and Sharon smiled warmly.
“Take good care of her. I’ll check up on you later,” Sharon said as they thanked her.
The night was getting chilly, so Christian took off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders before leading her away.
Alice was clenching her spoon so tightly that it nearly bent as she watched Christian care for Clarisse. The anger boiling inside her was enough to cook stone.
That should be me, she thought, gritting her teeth. And it will be me.
The long silence in the car made Cyrus uncomfortable and uneasy. He kept wondering what had happened during dinner that had caused his master and his wife to be so quiet.
He glanced at them through the rearview mirror, recognizing the look on his boss’s face. It was the expression he knew all too well-the one that came when Christian was frustrated.
He glanced at them through the rearview mirror, recognizing the look on his boss’s face, a look he knew all too well. It was the look Cyrus associated with scheming. He usually had this expression when heading to a board meeting or business gathering- the look of someone who intended to make another person dig their own grave. Cyrus was sure it was no good. Someone had definitely stepped on his boss’s toes.
As for his wife, he didn’t know much about her. Her silence and the way she curled up in her seat indicated someone either overwhelmed with guilt or in pain. He couldn’t tell, so he focused his attention back on the road, hoping everything would be alright.
Once they got out of the car and headed toward the house, Christian’s mind was consumed with worry.
Is she okay? She’s been so quiet, he thought. Should I give her space or approach her? And if I do, what should I say?
He took a deep breath, knowing he had to do something. The moment they entered the living room and she walked ahead of him, he stopped her in her tracks with a question.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
She paused without turning back.
When she didn’t respond, he asked again, “Are you okay?”
“Why?” Her voice carried so much pain and anger. “Huh?”
“Why did you do that?” she asked, still not turning around.
“Do what?” he replied, confused.
She turned to face him, her red eyes filled with tears streaming down her cheeks. The sight of her tears broke his heart. He reached out to wipe them away with his thumb, but she pulled back.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.