Mother-in-Law's Visits

Chapter Two

Elena was still in her bedroom when she heard the sound of the car doors slamming in the driveway. Her heart dropped. She knew that sound. Mrs. Kaelthorn had arrived.

She quickly fixed her makeup and changed into a simple black dress. No jewelry or designer clothes. Jack's mother hated when Elena looked too fancy. She said it reminded everyone that Elena was just an orphan playing dress up.

Elena hurried downstairs just as the front door opened. Mrs. Vivienne Kaelthorn walked in like she owned the place. Which she basically did. She was wearing a white suit that probably cost more than a car and diamonds that sparkled like stars.

"Mrs. Kaelthorn," Elena said quietly. "I didn't know you were coming."

"Of course you didn't know," Mrs. Kaelthorn said coldly. "You were too busy embarrassing our family at the hospital."

The head butler, Marcus, appeared immediately. "Mrs. Kaelthorn, welcome. Shall I prepare tea in the sitting room?"

"Yes. The good china. And call the chef. I want a proper meal, not whatever simple food Elena usually eats."

Elena felt her cheeks burn. Mrs. Kaelthorn always made comments about Elena's simple tastes. How she preferred normal food over expensive dishes. How she was too common for the Kaelthorn family.

They walked to the formal dining room. Mrs. Kaelthorn sat in the head chair like a queen. Elena stood behind her own chair, waiting.

"Sit down," Mrs. Kaelthorn commanded.

Elena sat carefully, keeping her back straight and her hands in her lap.

"Actually, no. Stand up."

Elena stood up again, confused.

"You know what? Kneel down."

Elena's eyes widened. "Mother, I don't understand."

"Kneel. Down." Mrs. Kaelthorn's voice was ice cold. "You embarrassed my son today. You embarrassed our family name. You will kneel while I eat and explain yourself."

Elena felt tears starting, but she slowly got on her knees beside Mrs. Kaelthorn's chair. The marble floor was cold and hard against her knees.

"Good," Mrs. Kaelthorn smiled cruelly. "Now you're in the right position. This is where orphans belong."

The servants came in carrying silver trays. They set down expensive dishes in front of Mrs. Kaelthorn. Lobster, caviar, imported wine. They didn't even look at Elena kneeling on the floor.

"Eat," Mrs. Kaelthorn told the head maid. "Make sure the food is perfect. If it's not, fire the chef."

"Yes ma'am," the maid replied quietly.

Mrs. Kaelthorn took a bite of lobster and looked down at Elena. "Now. Tell me exactly what happened at the hospital."

"I went for my appointment with Dr. Mortaine," Elena said, her voice shaking. "But he had an emergency. Nerissa was rude to me."

"Nerissa was rude?" Mrs. Kaelthorn laughed. "Nerissa told me the truth. She said you acted like you deserved special treatment because you're married to my son."

"That's not what happened," Elena said. "I just wanted to see the doctor."

"Don't lie to me!" Mrs. Kaelthorn slammed her fork down. "Nerissa said you demanded to see the doctor immediately. You said Jack was expecting answers. You acted like you owned the hospital."

Elena shook her head. "I didn't say that. I was polite. I just asked when the doctor would be available."

"Nerissa also told me something very interesting," Mrs. Kaelthorn cut a piece of lobster slowly. "She said you started crying when she mentioned how Jack could have married anyone. Anyone with a real bloodline. Anyone who could actually give him children."

The words cut deep. Elena felt more tears coming.

"Look at me when I'm talking to you," Mrs. Kaelthorn snapped.

Elena looked up from the floor. Mrs. Kaelthorn was staring at her with pure disgust.

"Three years, Elena. Three years of marriage and you've given my son nothing. No children. No business connections. No social status, just nothing."

"I'm trying," Elena whispered. "The doctor has treatment options. I have an appointment Friday."

"Treatment options?" Mrs. Kaelthorn laughed bitterly. "Do you know how much money Jack has spent on your medical bills? Hundreds of thousands of dollars. For what? For more disappointment?"

Elena stayed quiet. She knew anything she said would make it worse.

"My friends ask me about grandchildren," Mrs. Kaelthorn continued. "What am I supposed to tell them? That my son married a barren orphan who can't do the one job women are supposed to do?"

"Please," Elena said softly. "I love Jack. I'm trying my best."

"Love?" Mrs. Kaelthorn nearly choked on her wine. "You think this is about love? This is about family. This is about carrying on the Kaelthorn name and most importantly this is about business."

She leaned forward and grabbed Elena's chin roughly. "Let me explain something to you. Jack didn't marry you for love. He married you because he felt guilty because you saved him. Because he's too soft-hearted for his own good."

Elena tried to pull away, but Mrs. Kaelthorn's grip was strong.

"But guilt doesn't last forever," Mrs. Kaelthorn said. "And Jack is starting to realize what a mistake he made. Do you know what he told me last week?"

Elena shook her head, scared to hear the answer.

"He said maybe it's time to consider other options. Maybe it's time to find someone who can actually give him what he needs."

Elena's world felt like it was crashing down. "He said that?"

"He said that," Mrs. Kaelthorn smiled cruelly. "So here's what's going to happen. You're going to go to your appointment Friday. If this doctor can't fix you, you're going to divorce my son. Quietly. Without causing any drama."

"I can't divorce Jack," Elena said desperately. "He's everything to me."

"And what are you to him?" Mrs. Kaelthorn asked. "A burden. A reminder of his mistake. An empty womb in an expensive dress."

The servants continued moving around the dining room, pretending not to hear. Elena knew they would gossip about this later. The whole staff would know that Mrs. Kaelthorn made Elena kneel on the floor.

"If you really love Jack," Mrs. Kaelthorn said, cutting another piece of lobster, "you'll let him go. You'll let him find a real wife. Someone from a good family. Someone who can give him children."

"But what about me?" Elena asked, her voice breaking. "Where will I go? I have no family. No money of my own."

"That's not my problem," Mrs. Kaelthorn said coldly. "You should have thought about that before you tricked my son into marriage."

"I didn't trick him!" Elena said, finally showing some spirit. "I saved his life! I risked everything to pull him out of that fire!"

Mrs. Kaelthorn's eyes flashed with anger. "And you've been using that one good deed to manipulate him ever since. Do you think saving someone's life gives you the right to ruin it?"

Elena felt like she'd been slapped. "I'm not ruining his life."

"Aren't you?" Mrs. Kaelthorn stood up and walked around Elena, who was still kneeling. "Jack is thirty years old. His friends all have children. His business partners ask why he doesn't have an heir. You've made him a laughingstock."

Elena closed her eyes, trying not to cry.

"Look at me," Mrs. Kaelthorn commanded.

Elena looked up.

"I'm going to make you an offer," Mrs. Kaelthorn said. "Divorce Jack voluntarily, and I'll give you enough money to start a new life somewhere far away. Refuse, and I'll make sure you have nothing. Not Jack, not money, not even a place to live."

Elena's heart was racing. "You can't do that."

"Can't I?" Mrs. Kaelthorn smiled coldly. "I own half the businesses in this city. I have friends in every important family. One word from me and you'll never find work anywhere in Aethermoor."

She sat back down and continued eating. "You have until Friday to decide. If the doctor can't fix your broken body, you'll sign the divorce papers I have prepared."

Elena felt defeated. "And if the treatment works? If I can have children?"

Mrs. Kaelthorn paused with her fork halfway to her mouth. "Then you'll have bought yourself a little more time. But Elena, let me be clear. I will never accept you as part of this family. Never."

She finished her meal in silence while Elena knelt on the cold marble floor. Every bite felt like an insult. Every sip of wine felt like a reminder that Elena didn't belong here.

Finally, Mrs. Kaelthorn stood up. "Clean yourself up before Jack gets home. He doesn't need to see you looking pathetic."

She walked toward the door, then turned back.

"Oh, and Elena? If you tell Jack about our conversation today, I'll make sure everyone in Vaelthorne City knows exactly what kind of woman you really are. The one who uses tragedy to trap wealthy men."

After she left, Elena stayed on the floor for a long time. The servants cleaned around her quietly. No one helped her up. No one offered comfort. She was truly alone in this big, expensive house.

When she finally stood up, her knees were bruised and her back ached. But the pain in her heart was much worse. Mrs. Kaelthorn was right about one thing. Elena had no choice. Friday would decide everything.

Either the doctor would save her marriage, or she would lose the only family she'd ever known. Either way, she was running out of time to prove she was worth more than just the orphan girl who got lucky.