Chapter 3

The seed of doubt that sprouted grew throughout the breakfast, by the end of it Emma was sure that, Shayne had indeed included the family in his plans, or else, there was no way they would suddenly agree to change the bride at the last moment, that with another commoner.

The more she saw, the more Emma realized how blind she was to not see the undisguised hatred and disgust the family had for her as if they couldn’t wait for the day she would leave their lives. 

What she did not understand was, didn’t they hate Stella just as much but now there was such a drastic change in their behavior, especially Madam Watson’s, so what changed in these 5 years?

“Emmie, why are you so silent? Are you not happy to see me after so long?”

Stella questioned innocently as she looked at Emma with her doe eyes full of sincerity, making Emma almost question Stella’s innocence in all of this but brushed it off when she remembered how good of an actor Stella was.

“I’m just overwhelmed, seeing you after so long brought back a lot of... memories.”

“Oh, the high school days or the university days? Those were truly bliss.”

“Both.”

‘It truly was, because I still was in a delusion that we genuinely cared for each other.’

Emma thought to herself, as she nodded and masked a gentle smile on her face, which seemed very natural. After all, it was a mask she painstakingly perfected over the years as she played Mrs. Watson in the high society.

“Alright, I’m leaving for office.”

Shayne announced as he stood up from his chair and grabbed his blazer which was wrapped on the back of his chair.

“I’ll take my leave as well, Aunty.”

Stella said in a cheerful voice full of innocence, like the gentle rays of the morning sunshine which would immediately melt even the harshest of the ice, just like it melted Shayne’s heart.

“Where are you going, my child?”

Madam Watson questioned with concern and worry, as she tenderly looked at Stella, which made Emma scoff in disbelief. 

Never in her 5 years of marriage had Madam Watson ever been so concerned about her whereabouts as long as there was food on the dining table in time.

“Oh... Shayne promised to help me out with house hunting. Since I’m moving back to the country for good, I thought it would be better to find a house and settle down properly. I can’t keep living in a hotel for long either, so...”

“We have such a big house and you are staying out? Don’t you treat us as your family at all?”

“Of course, I do, Aunty. Why would you even say that?”

“Then you’re staying here with us, that is final.”

“Aunty that wouldn’t be...”

“I’m not taking no for an answer. Emma prepared a guest bedroom for Stella. And you, my child, go to the hotel and back your stuff, Shayne will help you bring it here.”

“But Aunty...”

Emma almost scoffed out loud at the blatant display of affection between her mother-in-law and Stella but held it in behind her glass of water.

She found it even funny to some extent, that these two ladies were putting up a flawless show just for her sake, because if not for her still holding the position of Mrs. Watson, Stella would’ve directly moved into Shayne’s bedroom without any hesitation.

“Are you rejecting me, my child?”

Madam Watson asked with a hurt voice as she looked at Stella in disappointment, making Stella gasp as she hurried to correct her mistake. 

“I wouldn’t dare! Since this is what you wish for, I will comply with it, Aunty.”

“That's more like it! Emma get the guest bedroom on the second floor ready for Stella.”

“At this rate, you might as well announce Stella as my brother’s mistress, Mom.”

Spade Watson, Shayne’s younger brother, who was nothing like his elder brother, spoke up with a disdainful smirk, as he lazily wiped his mouth before throwing the napkin on the table and looking at Stella as if she was nothing but trash.

“Spade, how dare you speak like that about your brother and Stella?”

Mr. Watson, Shayne and Spade’s father, who was till now a silent spectator, spoke up in a reprimanding tone, but what surprised Emma was the flash of approval in his eyes which vanished as quickly as it appeared causing everyone but her and Spade to miss it. 

“Everyone in this house, including the servants knows that the empty bedroom on the second floor is for Emma and Shayne’s children and now you’re giving it to her? What else is she if not his mistress?”

“Spade! You better watch your words!”

Shayne hissed as he coldly glared at his younger brother but the latter simply looked at him in mock defiance. Spade instead stood up, as the chair harshly screeched back, and looked at Emma momentarily as if wanting to say something but chose not to say it and left the dining hall.

His abrupt departure and frustrated look a moment ago, confused Emma. Even though she was already used to his outbursts, it was usually concerned only with him but this time he...

‘Did he stand up for me?’

Emma thought in surprise as she looked at the younger Watson’s departing back.

“This son of mine will one day be the reason for my death!”

Madam Watson spat out as she gulped down her glass of water to calm her anger and even out her breathing which was ragged because of her anger.

“Aunty, he is right. I shouldn’t stay here. I should look for a house, it would be better for everyone. Eventually, I will have to move out, anyway.”

“Stay here, let me see who dares to question your status.”

Shayne said coldly as she glanced at the servants present, before directing his gaze at Emma who was calmly cutting into her French toast without a care in the world.

“But...”

“Child, don’t take Spade’s words to your heart, he is always rude and does not easily warm up to everyone, he will get used to you with time.”

Madam Watson said in a soothing voice as she hugged Stella who seemed shaken up and disheartened by Spade’s words. Emma, who was done with her breakfast, glanced at the scene calmly, as she sipped on her juice as if she was watching a daily soap.

“Prepare the guestroom on the first floor for Stella.”

Shayne ordered Emma coldly, as he left from there without another word.

“Sorry for the trouble, Emmie. See you soon.”

Stella said in a cheerful tone, as she hugged Emma quickly and skipped after Shayne to catch up with him.