Chapter 36
Abigail
As I zipped up the last bag in my suitcase set and placed it against the others in the corner, I felt a relief at the knowledge that I was almost ready to leave this house and its suffocating weight behind.
I glanced at my handbag, where the divorce papers I had gotten prepared sat neatly folded, tucked away like a secret. My hand twitched with the urge to pull them out and march straight to Conrad’s study to demand he sign them. But not yet. There were steps I had to take first. Before anything, I had to talk to Roxy. She would know if I could keep working at the company and stay at the house she’d taken me to when I had left this mansion the first time. I needed that stability now more than ever, for both myself and for my child.
Everything I was doing, every step I took, was for this child. They deserved better than this twisted life, and I would do everything in my power to ensure they never felt the absence of a father or the chaos of this home.
I rubbed my hands over my face, shaking off the creeping emotions, and took a deep breath. There wasn’t time for self–pity, not when every minute spent here increased the risk of Conrad or someone else noticing what I w planning. I stepped back from the corner I had placed my suitcases, scanning the room. My wardrobes were emptier now, save for a few necessities left in the cupboards.
That was when I heard a sharp shout full of anger, echoing faintly from down the hall.
I froze.
It wasn’t the anger itself that startled me–I’d heard plenty of arguments within these walls–but the voice. It was my mother–in–law, Marceline.
Marceline never raised her voice, at least never where I could hear her. Her anger was the cold, quiet kind that settled in your bones like frost. She didn’t shout; she wielded her displeasure with biting words and icy disdain. Hearing her voice raised, cracking with genuine fury, was like hearing the earth split beneath my feet.
A second voice joined hers, equally sharp, and my surprise quickly turned into curiosity. Susanna
A sense of nosiness overpowered my instincts to stay out of sight. I stepped out into the hallway, careful to keep my movements quiet, and followed the voices. The argument grew louder as I approached, Marceline’s words and Susanna’s words tangling with each other, heavy with emotion. Whatever was happening, it was bad.
As I rounded the corner, I caught sight of them in front of the master bedroom.
Marceline stood with her arms crossed. It was so unlike her usual impeccable composure. Her face was the picture of fury. Her cheeks were flushed and her lips pulled tight. Opposite her, Susanna looked defiant, as she spat out words I couldn’t quite catch.
“You think I don’t know exactly what you’re up to?” Marceline’s voice was sharp, like a whip cracking through the air. “You think I can’t see through every manipulative scheme of yours?”
“Schemes?” Susanna’s voice dripped with incredulity. “Oh, don’t flatter yourself. I came here for a few things, Marceline. You know, belongings I left behind when I graciously moved out. Is it so strange I would need to drop by to get things I need now and again?”
Marceline took a step forward, her heels clicking sharply. “Don’t insult me, Susanna. You’ve been skulking around this house like a vulture long enough, clinging to a life that never even belonged to you. Your excuses fool no one. I only allowed it because you were grieving and alone. But Alexander is back now, and your time here is up.”
Susanna’s face twisted in anger, and she jabbed a finger in Marceline’s direction. “And what? You think you’re some moral authority here? You only let me stay because Alexander wasn’t around to remind you of your failure
Chapter 36
as a mother? Now that he’s back, you’re desperate to claw back control, aren’t you? How pathetic.”
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The slap of Marceline’s palm against the wall was deafening. “Watch your tongue, Susanna,” she growled, her voice vibrating with barely contained fury. “Your time is up You are no longer welcome in this house.”
The venom in their words was beyond anything I had ever seen from either of them. Marceline’s anger radiated off her like a blazing fire, but Susanna was like a coiled snake, ready to strike. For someone whose mouth was usually zipped in Marceline’s presence, what audacity had unzipped it now?
Susanna stepped closer. “This house belongs to Conrad, not you. And I don’t see him rushing to kick me out. Who do you think you are, Marceline? You’ve done nothing but meddle in everyone’s lives like a tyrant. Maybe you should look in the mirror and ask yourself why no one respects you anymore.
Marceline’s face hardened, and the icy calm in her tone was more terrifying than her earlier outburst. “You dare speak to me about respect? After the disgrace you’ve brought to this family? Conrad may own the deed, but I am this family. Every brick, every thread in this home exists because of me. And I say you’re leaving. Today,”
Susanna let out a bitter laugh, but before she could say anything, Marceline called out to the maids. “Clara! Grace!”
Within seconds, the maids had appeared, their heads bowed “You called, madam?” one of them asked.
Marceline’s eyes narrowed, her voice dropping to a dangerous tone even though her eyes never left Susanna. “You two will help Susanna clear out her things out of the room don’t want to see even a stray earring lying around when you’re done.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The maids nodded again, before moving past Susanna and entering the bedroom. From where I stood, I could hear a box being unzipped.
“It’s proper etiquette,” Marceline added, “to know when you’ve overstayed your welcome.”
Susanna was trembling with fury, but didn’t speak.
“You wormed your way into Conrad’s favor, and now you think you can just… Just replace Abigail?”
At the mention of my name, I stiffened, but luckily, none of them saw me.
Susanna’s expression hardened. “Replace her?” she repeated, her voice dripping with disdain. “Don’t be ridiculous, Marceline. Abigall left. She abandoned this family. Someone had to step in and pick up the pieces.”
“You already know this,” Marceline said cooly, returning to her usual refined way of displaying her anger, “but she’s back here now, in her husband’s home. It’s time you returned to yours.”
As if on cue, the maids began bringing out what they packed. It was not much, just a medium sized suitcase, and two small overnight bags. One of these small bags caught my attention; I hadn’t seen it before. And I had been around the day Susanna had arrived. I had seen the luggage she had brought with her.
Had she stayed here overnight while I had been gone?
I couldn’t be sure, but once upon a time, the possibility would have made me shake with anger. But now I only resigned.
The maids began to take Susanna’s belongings down the stairs, not even pausing even as Susanna screamed at them to stop and come back.
You see,” Marceline said, looking pleased. “Even the staff know you don’t belong here.” With that, she turned and walked away, silently dismissing Susanna.
Susanna’s face was red with anger as she glared at Marceline, but she didn’t chase after her. Instead, she went
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Chapter 36
after the maids, yelling at them to stop right where they were. I left where I was standing, and moved towards the staircase, watching as Susanna furiously stomped down, her hand clenched.
Just as she got to the bottom of the stairs, she suddenly looked up, and our gazes clashed. A look of anger entered her eyes as soon as she saw me. It was so intense that I couldn’t stop myself from laughing at how hateful she looked at that moment.
It was funny how she must be angry at me for ‘winning, and yet, I would be leaving soon too.
