Chapter 2

Elanor held a social gathering at her mansion, inviting socialites who, despite their age, still tried to look glamorous. Expensive dresses clad their bodies perfectly, diamond jewelry glittered in the light of crystal chandeliers, and their loud laughter echoed in the room, mingling with the scent of luxurious perfume.

Meanwhile, in the corner of the house, Ariana was busy washing clothes in the back area. Her thin hands kneaded the cloths that were now submerged in the soapy water that had begun to turn cloudy. Every day, she went through this grueling routine without complaint. She was so busy with her work that she didn't even realize that her mother-in-law had been calling her over and over again.

"Ariana! Make some food and drinks for my friends!" Elanor shouted from the living room.

There was no answer.

Elanor frowned, annoyed. "Ariana! Are you deaf?!" her voice rose, but there was still no response.

Annoyance filled her chest. With quick steps, Elanor walked towards the laundry. As soon as she saw Ariana who was busy washing with shabby clothes clinging to her body, a look of disgust was clearly drawn on her face.

"You deaf bastard! I called you earlier, but you didn't listen!" she snapped sharply.

Ariana gasped. She hurriedly looked back, her heart racing as she saw Elanor standing there with an angry glare.

"Sorry, Mom. I was doing the laundry, so I didn't hear your call," she said softly, bowing her head, hoping the woman would stop scolding her.

However, instead of subsiding, Elanor's anger grew.

"How long can you work so well, Ariana?! Every day, you're making me more and more angry!" Her voice was shrill, making Ariana look down even more.

"Sorry, Mom," she said in a low voice.

Elanor snorted. "Make me fancy drinks and food! My friends from the socialites are coming."

Ariana looked at her skeptically. Her body felt exhausted, barely able to stand after a long day of taking care of the house. "Mom, shouldn't we just buy some food? I'm so tired..."

That remark was like gasoline that ignited Elanor's anger.

"You lazy bastard! Nothing in life is free! If you're not going to make food, you might as well divorce Nathaniel!"

Ariana froze. The word "divorce" slapped her harder than any insult. Was it true that in her mother-in-law's eyes, her existence was nothing more than a burden that could be removed at any time?

Without another word, Ariana rushed to the kitchen and started cooking. Although her hands were shaking from exhaustion, she still tried to serve the best dishes so as not to be further humiliated.

Once the food was ready, Ariana carried a tray of various dishes into the living room. Elanor's guests turned to her with probing gazes, tracing her from head to toe.

One of them, Lilian, smiled slightly as she glanced at Ariana. "She's your maid?" she asked casually.

Ariana almost opened her mouth to explain, but before she could speak, Elanor had already answered in a nonchalant tone.

"Yes, she's the maid in this house."

Deg.

Ariana was transfixed. Her eyes widened as she stared at her mother-in-law.

A maid?

So all this time, she had only been considered a maid? Not a daughter-in-law, not part of the family-just someone who was hired without pay, without respect.

Her chest felt tight, as if something was crushing her from within. However, she could only bite her lip, enduring the pain that tore at her pride. Silently, she looked down, backing away slowly, swallowing the pain alone.

In the back area, Ariana finally could no longer hold back her tears. A quiet sob escaped her lips, her shoulders shaking violently.

Since when had her life become like this? Since when had she gone from a woman full of hope to someone who was constantly being trampled on?

She wanted to be happy. She wanted to have a partner who loved her wholeheartedly.

However, that was impossible.

How could Nathaniel possibly love her? Her face... her face could never make her loved by her husband.