Chapter 6

"Hi, I'm Kendall." The woman extended her hand to me. Her long nails were painted bright red.

"I'm Sarah." I finally shook her hand.

"You're really beautiful, Kendall, just like your mom when she was young," Ruth praised, making Kendall smile proudly.

Actually, Kendall did have a pretty face and fair skin. She was tall and slim. Unfortunately, she had used her good looks to flirt with married men.

Did Derrick know the guest was Kendall?

I heard a car pulling into the driveway. It seemed Derrick had just come home. I was very curious to see Derrick's reaction when he saw Kendall.

"Hello everyone." Derrick's voice called from outside.

"Hello." We all answered together.

"Huh, what are you doing here, Derrick?"

"Kendall...?"

Derrick and Kendall seemed surprised and pointed at each other.

They clearly didn’t expect to meet here.

The woman, with her heavy makeup, looked delighted when she saw my husband.

"I'm glad you two know each other," said Ruth, beaming.

"Kendall is Sonia's daughter, Derrick," Ruth continued.

"Oh really? Kendall works at my office, Mom," Derrick explained.

"Oh, you have a job. That's great!" Ruth praised Kendall.

"I see that you are not only beautiful, but smart too." Ruth couldn’t stop praising that homewrecker.

"Derrick, help bring Kendall's things to the side unit," Ruth requested.

Derrick carried her stuff to the unit through the dining room door.

"What department do you work at, Kendall?" I asked.

"Would you even know it if Kendall answered, Sarah?" Ruth interjected with a mocking smile.

"Of course, Mom," I replied confidently. I obviously understood my own company.

"Where do you work, Sarah?" Kendall asked with a condescending smile.

"A property group," I answered.

"Ah, you must be a sales agent then!" she guessed, laughing.

"Enjoy your drink. I’m going to my room." Before my anger boiled over, it was better to leave. It wasn’t time to retaliate against that homewrecker. She could laugh all she wanted for now.

In the bedroom, I asked, "Derrick, isn't Kendall the woman you said was trouble, always bothering the men at your office?"

"Y-yeah. But I was wrong. Kendall is actually a nice woman."

"How do you know that? Are you two close?" I probed.

Derrick looked irritated.

"What's with you? Are you jealous? You should learn from Kendall by dressing up more and putting on makeup."

I was taken aback by Derrick’s words.

"How could you compare me to her?" I almost shouted.

"If you want me to dress up well and put on makeup, you should provide for it. Just so you know, the money you give is only enough to feed the family. And don’t forget, your sister and her family often eat here for free." My anger was boiling over.

This man was unbelievable!

I never dressed extravagantly. But I did take care of my skin and face regularly, with my own money.

"Don’t bring up Lorraine. It’s just you who can't manage money well," he retorted as he walked out of the room.

'Watch out, Derrick. This won’t last much longer.' I tried to be more patient for now.

-

This morning, Bradley was going to introduce me to someone who would explain everything about the company.

I had been too indifferent all this time. Thankfully, my dad’s trusted people remained loyal.

After finishing the household chores and sending Gillian to school, I got ready.

I might need to buy more clothes for work. I usually just wear plain office outfits.

I rarely spent my own money, fearing Derrick and Ruth would get suspicious. I only used my money for regular hair treatments.

Derrick seemed to have left. Maybe Kendall went with him. I stayed inside, still angry and hurt by his words last night.

"Mom, I’m leaving." Ruth looked surprised to see me dressed so neatly and wearing makeup, though my makeup wasn’t as heavy as Kendall's or Lorraine's.

"Where are you going?"

"I have to go to the office that hired me, Mom."

Ruth still looked astonished.

"I’m leaving, Mom," I said goodbye to her, who was still staring at me full of questions.

-

I just arrived at the cafe where Bradley and I were meeting.

[Come on in. I’m already inside.]

It was a message from Bradley.

I walked into the upscale cafe. In the corner, I saw Bradley with a man in a gray suit.

"Sarah... Over here!" Bradley called me over casually, as usual.

"Hi Sarah, how are you?" greeted the man beside Bradley.

His voice... Why did it sound so familiar?

"You probably don’t remember me, Joy." The man smiled.

"Y-you're... Albert?" I guessed, recalling someone from the past. The only guy who called me Joy.

"That's right. You’ve become even more beautiful, Joy."

"Sarah, Albert is Mr. Ian William’s son. He’s one of the shareholders of our company."

After high school, Albert and I had parted ways as I continued my education in Germany.

Albert, Bradley, and I used to be very close. At one point, we were inseparable.