vent when her phone rang Friday morning. M
was ice cold. "Family dinner t
inner?" E
isiting from Celestria. They w
ank. "Victoria
lly family now." Mrs. Kaelthorn paused. "You will
one we
dinner would be torture. Jack's family had never liked h
he house was huge and cold, just like Mrs. Kaelthorn herself. E
back entrance. "Mrs. Kaelthorn wants
ng an expensive meal. Lobster, imported wine, gol
t," the chef told Elena.
ve Jack's family like a maid while Vi
ed Elena a black uniform dre
the dress servants wore. Simple, black,
ed through the kitchen door and saw Jack's family arriving. His t
king very handsome. And beside him was V
d over to hug Victoria. "You look absolutely be
ia," Victoria said swee
lling Jack's aunt by a family
?" Uncle Reginald asked l
rs. Kaelthorn said dismissively.
me. Mrs. Kaelthorn made it sound
d. "It's time she learned
ying a tray of appetizers. The moment she appeared, the conversa
with fake surprise. "Elena
tray quietly. "Good
ald said coldly. "Don't you
as being treated like hired help
. "And be careful not to spill any. This bottl
he got to Victoria, Victoria smiled sweetly and sai
condescending. Like Elena was a ch
e the family ate and talked. She was not
your time in Lysandria,
arned so much about international business. I speak fl
. "Jack, you must be proud to have su
as talking about Victoria lik
business partner," Jack announced. "She'll be h
nally, Jack has someone who can actually help h
ped. Everyone was looking at he
petizer plates," Mrs
dishes. She had to lean over everyone, feeling
n Elena reached for her plate. "These dishes
ike Elena was clumsy and could
reful," Ele
eginald said sternly. "Some
ictoria like she was perfect. They discussed her educat
t Cordelia said meaningfully. "The Ravencrest and
's family was talking about Victoria havin
ncle Reginald agreed. "A man nee
tarting but tried
t children?" Aunt Cor
smile. "I love children. I can't wai
she said this. Jack sm
Reginald asked suddenly. "Sti
eryone stared at Elena,
trying," Elen
aughed. "After three years? May
o be mothers," Uncle Reginald s
away, but she had to
lthorn said, "comes from a very fertile
ow wonderful! Victoria, you'll p
sweetly. "I dream of havin
n course when Victoria su
said with fake concern. "Are you f
re at Elena. Her hands were indeed
," Elena
a continued. "Oh wait, there's no extra chair. We
ruel and humiliating th
rs. Kaelthorn said coldly. "Sh
inst the wall and watch Jack's family treat Victoria like a be
unt Cordelia made
know that you're welcome in this family anytime. You'r
said, tears of joy in her eyes
. Jack's family was officially accep
now," Mrs. Kaelthorn ordered. "We w
ervant so the family could have in
the dining room. Jack's family was having the best time with Victor
a plate when Jack wa
ldly. "My family wa
ropped. This co
dining room. Everyone was star
g to a small stool in the corner. Not a rea
stool, feeling ti
began, "we've been dis
ituat
ree years of marriage and you've given Jack nothing. No c
coming but trie
roven herself valuable. She's helping Jack's business, fitting
" Aunt Cordelia said directly. "For Ja
ould defend her. But Jack just st
horn added. "He deserves a real wife
king me to do?"
ly and without drama. Let him marry Victoria and l
ning. Jack's entire family was te
u're still young. You can start over somewhere else. But Jack can't
y face was cold and determined. Eve
to think," El
thorn said firmly. "One week to make your decisi
e servant's stool and
"Don't forget your uniform. You'll n
wearing the servant's dress. The
k uniform, crying so hard sh
/0/91445/coverbig.jpg?v=1ce853c52b6a9a2e1ef1b8fc3fa14b56&imageMogr2/format/webp)