Chapter 365: Numia’s defeat.
After the guests left, Sienna waited a moment, watching her aunt smugly wave the picture before her face.
"Take the children away." She said to Elias.
Elias did not question her. Her took their cubs and sent guards to collect the younger Rocland’s. All the children were taken to the green house to pick the ripe fruits.
As soon as she deemed it safe, Sienna raised her hand and slapped Numia. She grabbed the ultrasound picture, threw it to the ground and stomped on it.
Her actions elicited some gasps from the relatives who had rushed over, after whispers of drama reached them. Lina and Mija had squeezed together at the same window, eating chips, enjoying the show.
Everyone had long anticipated Sienna’s reaction. Most expected a pan! Numia had been pushing Sienna’s buttons for too long. She walked around the compound as if she owned it, she took Sienna’s things without asking, she had done what Cadelaria did: took things from storage and sent them to her family, including the high priced crimson honey.
The bad seeds she had sown were about to harvested.
Sienna raised her hand again, decisively landing another slap on Numia’s other cheek.
"I call that symmetry." Grandma Jess whispered to her husband from the upstairs window.
Jesse grimaced. "I hope Sienna takes it easy. Numia is still pregnant."
Jess snorted. "Pregnant my ass. It doesn’t give her the right to make everyone’s life a nightmare. Enough is enough. I have always found it hypocritical of Sienna to deal with Cadelaria and spare Numia for the same crimes against their family. I guess she was just biding her time."
Sienna was about to land a third slap when Numia staggered back, clutching her face, eyes wide with disbelief.
Sienna’s voice was cold, steady. "I think it’s time for you to move out. I have endured you for far too longer than I should have." She scoffed. "You are not my blood relative. You are not a good aunt. You impose on my guests all the time. You steal my things. You hosted your family here and gave them my things, without asking for my permission." With every accusation, her voice deepened into a growl.
"Now, you are spreading rumors about me and my husband. What gives you the right to harm my peace of mind and make my husband and in-laws and family uncomfortable? Do we owe you something? Whatever financial losses you incurred because of Paris, I paid you back. I believe that I have done enough. Now, you need to go."
Numia erupted into a tantrum, shrieking about betrayal, injustice and her son who was going to be the Rocland heir.
"I never said that." Grandpa Corven corrected immediately. He was right to do so because all the Roclands looked at him as if he had lost his mind. "I didn’t even know she was carrying a boy."
Numia threw herself on the ground, crying, demanding sympathy. But nobody rushed to her side.
Christo, remained quiet as he did on most of these situations. He stood still, hands folded, his gaze fixed on his parents. He did not defend her. He had warned her about the allegations she was making about Sienna’s so called divorce and Elias’s fictional affair. His wife had even shared the news with some of her relatives.
He had warned her about the consequences, but she had not listened. Now, things had escalated to this. What was he supposed to say? How could he defend her? Not a single relative was helping. The silence was damning.
Numia wailed louder, her voice cracking as she pointed to Sienna. "You are heartless! I am your aunt. How can you throw your aunt out of the streets? I am pregnant with your cousin for crying out loud! Do you want us to beg?"
Sienna’s lips curled into a faint smile. "With all the money I gave you, and uncle Christo’s job, you will neither starve nor sleep on the streets. I want peace in my home. You have mistaken tolerance for weakness and I have had enough. You are a guest here. Your stay has run out."
Numia’s tantrum grew more desperate, but the weight of the Rocland’s silence pressed down on her. She looked around, hoping for an ally, but found only cold stares and folded arms. "Christo," she shrieked. "Why are you standing there? Do something. My pregnancy is high risk, are you willing to watch our son die because I am not doing well mentally and physically?" Here, she had servants, professional chefs, a doctor, and other amenities for a soft comfortable life.
Here, she could rub shoulders with royals and nobles. She would be a fool to give up such a life for an ordinary one.
Grandpa Corven stepped forward. His voice was calm, aged with authority. "Enough," he said, cutting through the noise. "You do not get to use that pregnancy to hold all of us hostage." He tapped his walking cane on the ground and looked at Sienna with guilt. "I am sorry. We brought this burden on you and caused you to suffer. All I request is that we don’t send her away now. Let the cub be born safely. Then, the couple will leave this compound and move to the city."
Numia gasped loudly. Initially, she had been feeling hopeful, and now, her hopes were crashed. Her mouth remained open, but no words came.
Christo nodded firmly, "Father, I accept your decision." He turned his head to Sienna and sighed. "Niece, I am sorry. To you and your husband. We have really embarrassed ourselves here."
Sienna walked past Numia, into the house. She had finished doing what everyone had long waited for--drawn the line. The slaps had been more than punishment; they were a declaration that her aunt’s reign of stupidity and manipulation was over.
The family dispersed slowly, whispers trailing in their wake. Numia remained on the ground, sulking and crying, picking up the dirty ultrasound picture. Her smirk was long gone, replaced by the bitter taste of defeat.