Chapter 20: That’s Just The Way She Talks
Isabella crossed her arms, tilting her head as she watched the two women embrace. "And... who is this?" she asked, her tone flat.
The newly arrived woman, Shelia, turned sharply, her lips pressing together as if Isabella had just insulted her entire bloodline. "Excuse me?"
Ophelia immediately pulled back, sensing the tension. "Oh! No, no, Shelia, don’t misunderstand. This is Isabella—she helped me."
Shelia didn’t seem convinced. "With that tone? It sounded like she was ready to go feral on me.
Ophelia laughed nervously. "She just talks like that. You get used to it. Let me explain what happened."
And so, Ophelia recounted the entire humiliating scene—how she had begged for a man who clearly didn’t want her, how Isabella had swooped in like an unexpected savior, how she had effortlessly turned the tables on the arrogant fool.
Shelia’s expression softened. By the time Ophelia finished, she let out a long sigh, crossing her arms. "Ophelia, how many times have I told you to leave that man? He doesn’t deserve you. He’s obviously interested in someone else, and yet, here you are, throwing yourself at his feet like some desperate beggar."
Ophelia lowered her head, cheeks burning with shame. "I just thought—"
"No." Shelia cut her off. "As a woman, you can have as many males as you want. Why do you keep fixating on him? There are so many better, richer, and more handsome men in this village. Pick literally anyone else!"
Isabella snorted. "I’m not sure about the last part, but everything else is painfully true."
Ophelia and Shelia giggled at Isabella’s bluntness, and for the first time, Ophelia looked relieved instead of heartbroken.