003

The next day, Layla forced herself to make breakfast for everyone, including Ashley, who had spent the night at the mansion. She barely slept, yet she still woke up early to ensure everyone was fed. There were maids in the house, but whenever her mother-in-law came around, she scolded her for not helping them, rubbing it in her face how she used to be one before they married her into the family.

It was tough at first, but eventually, it became a habit. She started waking up early whenever her mother-in-law was around or stayed over.

Once the table was set, she instructed the maid to get everyone while she went to the fridge to get water. This was her chance to talk to Nolan about her illness.

The previous night had been pure misery. She had never cried the way she did, unending sobs, but no one even came to check on her. Not that she was expecting anyone. No one cared about her.

Footsteps on the stairs caught her attention. She glanced in their direction and saw Nolan come into view, clinging all over Ashley, who smiled, acting lovey-dovey as they descended the stairs.

Layla looked away and reached for the cutlery. She carefully placed them on the table before taking her seat.

“Hey, Layla! Good morning!” Ashley called out, acting overly friendly, her excitement impossible to miss.

Layla swallowed hard and forced a smile, responding only with a nod. She couldn’t even bring herself to be angry at Ashley for trying to take her man.

“You’re pathetic!” Nolan snapped, noticing her expression.

“Hey, come on!” Ashley defended, pretending to be concerned.

“You said hello, and all she did was bob her head.”

“But she had fruit in her mouth,” Ashley replied.

“You need to stop defending her,” Nolan scoffed. “She’s worse than you could ever imagine.”

Her chest burned, her throat ached with the weight of unshed words, and she swallowed a sob. She dug her nails into her palms; the pain was excruciating, crawling through her veins, screaming to be acknowledged, but she was silenced. She had learned how to survive this way. Silence was safer, even though it was breaking her into pieces. She believes stillness hurts more than breaking, not in front of them.

Her eyes betrayed her, but she blinked quickly, forcing the tears back to where they belonged; the satisfaction they were craving, she wouldn't give them.

“It’s too early for this. What’s with the commotion?” Sophia, his mother, said as she entered the dining room, with Zara trailing beside her.

Nolan didn’t respond immediately. He pulled out a chair for Ashley before taking the seat opposite her.

“Who else would it be? It’s always her, an attention seeker.”

Did he just refer to me as her? I am his wife. Why can’t he respect me? I’m not an outsider. Why can’t they treat me like a human being?

“I knew it would be you causing this commotion. I just wanted to be certain. If you don’t learn to make peace, you’ll leave me no choice but to send you to the quarters.”

Her heart skipped at the statement. She understood that they didn’t regard her as human; no one valued her, but sending her to the quarters? Even the maids didn’t stay there.

It was mostly where the security men slept, with barely any proper shelter. If someone had told her Sophia would ever make such a statement, she wouldn’t have believed it. But hearing it directly from her mouth made her understand the depth of the hatred.

If there were a way to end her existence, she wouldn’t hesitate, not even for a second.

“It’s okay, Mother. Let’s eat,” Nolan said.

Hesitantly, she walked to her side of the dining table, Sophia casting her a condescending stare. If looks could kill, Layla would have been six feet under.

Layla hasn't looked up to any of them; her head has been cast down, barely touching her food as they scold her.

“Nolan, before you leave for the office, I’d like to have a word with you, please,” she managed to breathe out after a prolonged silence.

She should have told him the moment he arrived, but she didn’t want more scolding. There was no way she could trade words with everyone who came at her, especially not his mother or his daughter, whom she had carried in her womb for nine months.

He slammed his hand on the table, making her fidget.

“Don’t you know when to start a conversation?”

“But I didn’t say much. I just wanted—”

“You don’t have anything meaningful to utter from that stinking mouth of yours.”

“We should at least hear what she has to say before concluding,” Ashley said, her concern clearly fake.

“I hate how you keep standing up for her. She never has anything good to say.”

“But you should listen to me.”

He turned to face her, giving her the attention he assumed she was seeking.

“Go ahead. What is it?” he asked.

He had given her permission, yet no words came out. How could she tell him she had half a year to live with everyone in the dining room watching?

If she said it in front of Ashley, it would make her victorious; not only had she taken her man back, but the woman who replaced her was dying too.

“You’re obsessed with attention,” Zara chimed in.

“Clearly, she’s always been obsessed,” Sophia added.

“I was at the hospital yesterday, visiting the family—”

“Who cares?” he cut in. “I told you, Mother, she’s never said anything meaningful in her life.”

The room grew tense, every gaze fixed on her like she was a villain about to be exposed.

Patience—that was what he lacked. If only he would pay attention and understand what she was trying to say.

Ashley, who had been defending her moments ago, said nothing. The hospital. The pregnancy. It crossed her mind, and she couldn’t stand the thought.

If Nolan didn’t want to listen, then perhaps it was better they never found out what she was about to say.

“You have indeed said nothing good; I shouldn’t have pleaded on your behalf,” Ashley muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear.

“I don’t mind if anything happens to you. You can die for all I care. You make it so difficult for someone to like you.”

Zara stood up, pissed off.

“You always ruin the moment with your presence. I have never liked you either. You can go to hell.”

She turned and marched out of the room.

Nolan held his mistress and followed behind, leaving her with his mother-in-law, whose gaze remained fixed on her.

“You’re so pathetic,” Sophia said, then walked out of the room.