Chapter 24: _ Stay Away From Axel!
"I didn’t mean for it to take so long," I whispered, looking away from his unforgiving eyes.
"You are useless. It seems you’ve dedicated the past three weeks to proving just how useless you are. You are an embarrassment to this family. How dare you inconvenience everyone like this?"
"I’m sorry, Dad. I’ll do better. Please..."
The tears I had been holding back broke through now—there was no helping it. They streaked down my cheeks in silent streams. I felt utterly humiliated, standing there under his withering glare, my sisters watching the scene unfold.
Camilla looked thoroughly entertained, while Rosa kept her face straight, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.
"Don’t just stand there crying like a child," my father snapped. "Get to work. The kitchen staff has been waiting long enough. And don’t forget to retire to the pig stables!"
I nodded quickly, wiping my tears with the back of my hand. "Yes, Father."
Without another word, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving my heart sinking. Camilla smirked at me, clicking her tongue.
"Poor María José," she cooed mockingly. "Always getting into trouble."
I clenched my fists at my sides, swallowing the retort that was about to escape. This wasn’t the time to fight back. Not when my father’s anger was still fresh.
I stood frozen in the middle of the living room, my cheek still stinging from my father’s slap, when Rosa stepped forward with her usual calmness. She completely ignored the redness in my face and the tears pooling in my eyes.