Chapter 5

I just finished discussing the divorce agreement with the lawyer when Damien sent me a message.

"Mom says she wants to see you. Come back to the old house quickly."

I didn't care much about Damien, but the Madam Stratton had been good to me, giving me the maternal love I'd never experienced before.

I didn't want to make Madam Stratton sad because of me.

I took a cab back to the old mansion. As soon as I rushed in, I heard laughter.

"She's such a leech. One message from my brother's phone and she comes running."

Damien's sister Seraphina was lounging on the sofa, her arm linked with Estella's, saying to her:

"It's that body of hers that tricked my brother into marrying her."

"But it's okay now that you're back. We all like you. You're the sister-in-law I've always wanted."

Estella smiled and glanced at me. "Seraphina, don't be too hard on her. She comes from humble beginnings. Her methods might be a bit much, but she can't help it. After all, she doesn't know any better."

Yes, everyone thought I had clung to Damien to get this marriage.

Everyone thought I wasn't good enough for Damien.

Everyone thought Estella should be Damien's wife. I'm a worthless piece of junk from who knows where, not even fit to sit at the table and eat.

"Seraphina, apologize to me."

Seraphina laughed mockingly, "Why should I apologize to you?"

"Fine then." I held up my phone, "I recorded everything. I'm going to play it for your mom right now."

Seraphina and Estella's faces changed instantly.

Madam Stratton was always kind, and she was the one who disapproved Estella who had betrayed Damien.

If she were to find out what these two had just said, she would definitely reprimand Seraphina.

Estella glanced at Seraphina, who was gritting her teeth in anger, and patted the back of her hand, signaling her to stop.

Then she said to me, "Don't think that just because the old lady is helping you, you can really secure your position as Madam Stratton."

Secure my position?

I never planned on staying in this family anyway.

But there was no point in telling them that. I just wanted to say goodbye to the old lady and leave.

Unexpectedly, Damien came towards us, supporting the old lady.

"Why are you back? I was about to explain what had just happened, hoping Damien would stop giving me trouble.

But unexpectedly, the smile in Damien's eyes didn't seem fake at all.

I froze. Estella stood up, head lowered, eyes downcast, looking utterly pitiful.

"Scarlett said I'm an outsider, that I shouldn't come to the family home. She told me to leave..."

"Scarlett?" The tenderness in Damien's eyes instantly shattered, replaced by warning and accusation directed at me.

"I've already been lenient with you, but Estella meant well. He hasn't been back in years and came specially to pay respects to his elders."

"You arrived so late, and you have the nerve to chase Estella away?"

Damien held back his anger, glancing at the somewhat displeased Madam Stratton, but still spoke up:

"Mom, you've seen it yourself. Scarlett is so ill-mannered, you really can't blame your son."

"I truly regret marrying her."

Estella raised his hand to cover his mouth, but his eyes betrayed a hint of smugness as he looked at me.

Seraphina sat with her legs crossed, looking down her nose at me, eager to see me in a miserable state.

But suddenly, I realized something.

I was completely calm. I no longer felt anything in response to Damien's disparagement.