Chapter 2: The Stranger
"Yes, Mom. Brother brought her to the capital and she’s been by his side ever since." She sighed, "He was going to propose to her, but she didn’t want to become a mistress." Charlotte sounded angry as she continued.
"Mom, I can’t let Linda be humiliated like that. She and her family were so good to us back then. She and brother should have been married by now, if that spoilt heiress didn’t ruin everything. Please do something and send that old bitch out of my brother’s life already!"
Mrs. Blackwood said nothing for a while, as if having a hard time deciding, so Charlotte pressed harder.
"Mom, isn’t it obvious that Anita is infertile? She’s a barren woman, mom. And very soon, she’ll reach menopause. What would happen then? That old witch cannot give you a grandchild, Mom!"
"That’s not what I’m thinking. What if she takes back everything? You know how wicked she can be, Charlotte. If she could make us what we are today, in eight years, do you think she can’t take it all back in less years?"
"That’s not happening, Mom," Charlotte laughed, "What did you think that my brother had been doing over the years? Why do you think my brother is loved by everyone and Anita is not liked as much? Who do you think that the public would blame if my brother and Anita divorce?"
"Is that so?" Mrs. Blackwood was clearly excited. "Your brother is coming over this evening for dinner. Tell him to bring that girl with him. It’s high time he gives me a fertile daughter-in-law."
Anita stumbled back, stunned by everything she’s heard.
Even her in-laws too?
Anita’s heart ached, eyes blurred with tears as she suppressed the urge to scream.
She couldn’t recall where she’d gone wrong or done these people any harm.