Chapter 2

“No way...” Elara murmured. She leaned forward a little, trying to get a clearer look at the black car across the street.

Who was that woman? She couldn't tear her eyes away as the traffic light turned green on the other side. Garrett's car slowly moved forward.

Elara could only stare as the vehicle drove away.

Should she chase after them? Should she find out more?

Before she could make a decision, her phone buzzed in her jacket pocket. The vibration felt like a tight grip pulling her back to reality. She didn't need to look at the screen. She already knew who was calling.

Her mother-in-law.

“Elara, dear, where on earth are you? I told you my guests are arriving at noon. Are you lost, or just taking a joyride on that awful scooter of yours?” The tone was light, but the words were sharp and demanding. It blasted from the other end of the line the second she answered. No pause. No care.

“I am already on my way home, Mother,” she answered softly.

But Audrey did not stop nagging. Her voice kept pouring into Elara's ear.

Elara took a deep breath, then steered her scooter back toward the house where she was never right. A place where she only mattered when needed, and was blamed when things did not go perfectly.

Upon arriving home, Elara took off her jacket without even sitting down. She went straight to the kitchen. Her mother-in-law's guests for the ladies' luncheon would be arriving very soon.

Sienna was not there. Hailey was not there. There was never any help from anyone.

Whether they were home or not, her two sisters-in-law never touched any household chores.

In the middle of her panic while arranging pastries on a serving platter, she heard laughter from the living room. Audrey welcomed her guests warmly, a complete contrast to her attitude toward Elara.

“Please, sit down! It has been so long since we had a get-together here!” her mother-in-law's voice sounded cheerful.

Elara looked down. Both her hands kept working. No one would know she had not even eaten yet. No one would care that her legs were sore and her heart was still crushed from this morning.

The voices in the living room grew livelier. Laughter, compliments, and small talk that felt far too sweet for a house that was so gloomy to her.

“Oh, Garrett is doing exceptionally well at the firm these days. They practically rely on him for everything, and he is climbing the corporate ladder so fast. But of course, he was always meant for success,” Audrey said in a loud, proud tone.

Soft chuckles broke out among the guests. One of them chimed in. “Oh my, you are so lucky, Audrey. Your son is so driven, and his career is just brilliant. He is the ideal husband.”

Elara heard everything from the open kitchen not far from the living room. She sighed softly. This was nothing new. Her mother-in-law was always proud of Garrett. Sometimes even more than Garrett was of himself.

But then the direction of the chat started to shift.

“You are too generous, Audrey,” one of the guests said in a hushed tone, as if touching on a scandalous topic. “Most women in our circle would demand a daughter-in-law with a proper pedigree. But you took her in without a second thought.”

In the kitchen, Elara's hands, which were moving pastries from a box to a plate, suddenly stopped.

“Yes,” another guest replied hesitantly. “Usually, parents want a daughter-in-law who is... well, on the same level.”

There was a brief pause. It was as if everyone knew exactly who they were talking about.

Audrey laughed softly. “Well, what can I say? Garrett has a big heart. And Elara... she tries her best. I even canceled the catering service today so she could practice her cooking. She needs something to keep her busy, after all.”

"Still, you are a saint, Audrey. Most of us expect someone with a degree, or at least a trust fund," another voice chimed in.

Once again, laughter echoed through the room.

Meanwhile in the kitchen, Elara stood tall, brewing tea in silence. She put a floral tea blend into the teapot, then poured the hot water slowly. Warm steam with a soothing scent filled the air. It was a sharp contrast to what she was hearing in the living room.

As Elara was preparing the porcelain cups one by one...

“Elara!” Audrey's voice rang out. The middle-aged woman was already standing in front of the kitchen island.

Elara turned her head quickly. “Yes, Mother.”

“Is this tea ready?”

“Yes,” Elara answered, rushing to arrange the tray.

Audrey sighed softly, her eyes scanning Elara from head to toe. “Elara, darling... are you really going to serve my guests looking like that?”

Elara looked down at herself. She was still wearing simple house clothes, with an apron that had a few soup splatters on it. She hadn't had time to change since coming back from the market. She hadn't even had time to look in a mirror.

“I bought you that nice dress last month. It is a shame you prefer looking like you just scrubbed the floors. Do you enjoy making us look bad?” Audrey whispered, her tone sweet but her words laced with venom so the guests wouldn't hear.

Elara held back the words that should have come out of her mouth. She wanted to reply that she had been working in the kitchen the whole time, preparing food for those guests. That no one was helping her. But she knew it was completely useless.

“I am sorry, Mother. I will change right away.”

“Don't take too long,” Audrey said, then walked gracefully back into the living room.

Elara let out a breath before taking off her apron and walking to her small bedroom in the back.

After changing her clothes, she returned to the kitchen, picking up the tray filled with the tea and pastries she had prepared.

With slow steps, she approached the living room and lowered her head as she entered, trying to make sure her presence was not too noticeable.

However, as soon as she started handing out the teacups, one of the guests suddenly greeted her with a polite but dismissive smile.

“Oh, Audrey, I didn't know you hired new help. What is her name?”