Chapter 2

“Can’t you do anything right?! You useless child!”

Emely’s shrill voice shattered the silence of the luxurious living room. Clarisa, the poor little girl, trembled violently as her tiny fingers struggled to reach the water dispenser placed high on the counter. In the living area, Vanes sat back arrogantly. She was no ordinary sister-in-law; she was Dewangga’s first love—the one he failed to marry because of family disapproval in the past—yet now she lived in this house as a “special guest,” more respected than Serena.

Emely stepped closer, her face flushed with anger. Every time she looked at Clarisa, it was as if she saw an obstacle to her beloved son’s happiness. To her, Clarisa was a reminder that Dewangga had been forced to marry Serena, the wealthy producer, purely for the family’s business ambitions seven years ago.

“Grandma, I can’t get a drink for Aunt Vanes… it’s too high,” Clarisa whimpered hoarsely. Her wide eyes began to glisten with tears as she looked at her grandmother in fear.

“Excuses! All you ever have are excuses!” Emely shouted right in her face. “You can’t even get a simple drink—completely useless! Just like your mother, who’s nothing but a burden in this house!”

Slap!

Without a shred of mercy, the old woman struck Clarisa hard. The little girl jolted, her body swaying as she nearly crashed into the table.

“Please, Grandma! It hurts! I really can’t reach it!” Clarisa cried out, clutching the spot that burned with pain.

“Stop crying! Your voice is so annoying!” Instead of stopping, Emely grabbed Clarisa’s ear and yanked it until the child stood on her tiptoes in agony. “Vanes is an honored guest—she’s your father’s true love! She needs a drink now. If you can’t serve her, what’s the point of you being here?”

At that very moment, the front door opened. Serena stepped inside, her face pale as death. Her body was still weak after what had happened at the hospital, but the sight before her made her heart nearly stop.

“Clarisa!” Serena cried out, ignoring the pain in her abdomen. She rushed forward and pulled Clarisa into her arms.

“What is going on, Mother? Why are you hitting Clarisa?” Serena asked, her voice trembling as her eyes locked sharply onto her mother-in-law.

Emely snorted coldly, crossing her arms with arrogance. Her eyes narrowed at Serena. “You and your child are exactly the same! Both nothing but parasites! Unlike Vanes—she’s beautiful, intelligent, and the woman who should have been the lady of this house if you hadn’t forced your way into Dewangga’s life!”

Serena held Clarisa tighter, feeling her daughter’s body shaking uncontrollably. The pain of her husband bringing his “first love” into their home had not even begun to heal—and now she had to watch her child being abused for that very woman.

“You can scold me. You can insult me all you want. But please… I beg you, don’t hurt my child! She is Dewangga’s own flesh and blood!”

“Oh, you think you can order me around in my own house?” Emely hissed. “You’re the one living here on our mercy, Serena! You don’t get to tell me what to do. If I don’t like your daughter, then I’ll scold her as I please!”

Vanes, who had been watching the entire scene with a faint smile, finally spoke without even moving from the sofa. “Oh please, Sister Serena, don’t argue with Mother. It would be such a pity if her blood pressure rises just because she has to deal with a slow child like Clarisa. You should be more self-aware—especially now that you’re pregnant again. If it turns out to be another girl, your position here will truly be at risk, won’t it?”

Serena felt her world spinning. Vanes’s words were a real threat. Everyone in the house knew that Dewangga had only married her for status—his heart had always belonged to Vanes.

“Mother… please…” Serena’s voice weakened. “I just came back from the hospital. My pregnancy has complications. Can we not argue right now?”

“Complications?” Emely raised an eyebrow coldly. “Maybe that’s a sign the child isn’t meant to be—especially if it’s not a boy. Don’t use your pregnancy as an excuse to seek attention! Now take your useless child to the room. Don’t let her ruin Vanes’s view!”

Serena said nothing more. She lifted Clarisa, who was still sobbing softly in her arms. Every step toward the bedroom felt like walking on thorns. She glanced back briefly—Vanes had already returned to lounging comfortably, while Emely gently stroked her shoulder with a tenderness she had never once shown to Clarisa.