Clarisse walked away to the backyard, where she collapsed onto the floor. The feeling of being an outcast didn’t hurt as much as the overwhelming sense of failure. She had failed to protect her baby, failed to protect her mother’s name, and it hurt so much that it was suffocating. Her pain was compounded by their callousness, and she wondered if she would ever be able to heal the deep wounds that had been inflicted. Silent tears of despair fell as she longed for the baby she had lost and the life she had dreamed of having. Her mind drifted between the past and the present, reliving the pain of her miscarriage over and over again.
“Clarisse,” she heard Abby’s voice, and looked up to see Abby and the oldest maid in the house. They were also crying. They squatted beside her, embracing her and crying with her.
“I’m sorry, we’re sorry,” they said in unison.
Why were they apologizing? They hadn’t done anything wrong. It wasn’t them who should be apologizing.
“We should have told you,” Abby said amidst her tears.
“That?”
“That he was a monster. I’m sorry.”
“What do you mean?”
Abby broke the hug and sniffled. “Didn’t you divorce him because you found out he was once raped by someone?”
“Huh? What?” Clarisse’s mouth hung open, unable to laugh, cry, or even respond, her eyes fixed in disbelief. “You all knew but I didn’t?”
“I’m sorry,” the oldest maid said, feeling ashamed of herself.
“You didn’t do anything wrong. I didn’t even know I’m not his first,” Clarisse said, her voice quiet.
“What?!” they exclaimed, and she nodded. Abby covered her mouth, weeping profusely, while Clarisse just stood there, staring blankly.
“But that’s not what hurt,” she continued, her voice breaking as tears began to flow. “I thought I finally had a companion, someone I could love and who would love me, but they took her away too.” She looked down at her belly, finding it hard to accept that she was no longer carrying the life inside her.
“You were pregnant?” the oldest maid whispered, her voice full of sympathy. She could relate to the pain, having lost a child herself, but she knew there were no words that could truly comfort her.
They drew her into their arms, smoothing her hair and patting her back, softly whispering that she would be fine. But deep down, Clarisse doubted it.
One of the maids glanced around carefully before entering the Lamborghini, slamming the door softly. She bowed as she sat beside the woman, who radiated wealth and authority, enjoying the privilege of sitting next to her-an opportunity she might never experience again in her lifetime.
“Good afternoon, Ma’am.”
“Good afternoon. How is everything?”
“They’ve changed the woman your son is getting married to.”
“What?! What do you mean by that?”
“Apparently, their biological daughter turned down the proposal to marry your son, ma’am.”
Sharon scoffed and laughed. “I’m damn sure it’s because of the rumors. No offense. That makes it perfect. I was never in support anyway. Thanks for your hard work.”
“But…”
“But?”
“Yes, ma’am, he’s still going to marry someone from their family.”
“What do you mean?”
“I told you they’ve changed the daughter he’s marrying.”
“Oh, right. I forgot you said that. Which other daughter do they have?”
“Mr. Ferdinand’s brother’s daughter. He’s her new father since her parents died.”
“From the information I gathered, she got married a month ago.”
“She’s divorced, ma’am.”
“What?! Ha!” Sharon gasped, bursting into laughter. “What a joke. This is so ridiculous,” she said, her laughter turning into anger. “I’m going to see for myself,” she declared, turning to the maid. “Thanks for the job, your pay has been sent.”
“Thank you so much, ma’am,” the maid replied, bowing before leaving. Sharon then ordered the driver to take her to Ferdinand’s house.
The sound of laughter could be heard from the room as the two men appeared to be enjoying their conversation. “That’s great! Excelling in business is for geniuses, I must say.”
“I feel flattered, I must say,” Charles replied, and they both burst into another round of laughter.
“But I’m being honest, it’s just a fact,” Ferdinand added.
“Joining families wouldn’t be a bad idea after all. I’m sure your families must be full of intellectual people.”
Ferdinand laughed. “I know, right? I’m so glad it’s finally happening. I’m sure we’ll reach great places together.”
“Same, cheers to prosperity and abundant wealth.”
“Including good health and long life,” they cheered to that and drank up.
“Hmm, this tastes good,” Charles nodded as he placed the glass down.
“How’s my son-in-law doing?”
“Christian is doing great, away on a business trip.”
“When will he be back?”
“I don’t know. No one can predict that boy’s movements, but worry not, he’s not going to miss the wedding,” Ferdinand said, and Charles chuckled.
“Since you said that, I’m not worrying anymore then.”
They giggled. “Your daughter-in-law is also doing great. She’s so excited and eager to marry your son.”
“Really? Even though they haven’t met?”
“Uh, sure. She stares at his pictures every time.”
“Where did she get them?”
“Online, of course.”
“I didn’t know there were so many of Chris’s pictures online.”
“Ha ha ha, you’re funny,” Charles said, sipping his wine.
“Anyways, I’ll anticipate my wife’s reply.”
“Aren’t you the husband? The head of the family?”
“Of course I am! But you know, our mothers love us so much, and they usually know what’s best for their children. My wife is a very modest and intelligent woman. She knows exactly what’s best for her son, so I’m going to let her decide whether your daughter is good enough for him. I always trust a woman’s judgment.”
“And how is she planning on doing that?”
Charles chuckled. “She’s probably on her way to your house, if not there already.”
“What?!”
“Hmm,” he nodded nonchalantly, sipping his wine.
“Umm… I need to use the restroom,” he said, finding an excuse so he could reach out to his wife.
“Sure,” Charles replied, smiling knowingly. He knew exactly what he was trying to do.
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.