All Chapters of Engaged to my Ex-husband's Outcast Uncle : Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

ELAINE’S POV"Elaine." Betty set down her tea. "Have you gained weight again?"She didn't even say good morning. She just looked at me with that expression of disgust. I was standing in the kitchen doorway in my work clothes, a navy blazer over a pencil skirt I had ironed the night before, and I swear the woman's lips curled before she even opened her mouth.I smiled. "Good morning, Betty. Would you like more tea?""I'm serious." She turned on her stool to fully face me. "That skirt does nothing to hide your bulging stomach, you can see it from here!” She sighed and shook her head. “Richard never says anything because he's too kind, but I'm your mother. I'll tell you the truth."She wasn't my mother. But I didn't say that. Seven years of marriage to her son had thought me to think twice before saying anything to her face. "I'll look into it," I said softly. "You're right, I should be more careful with what I eat.”"She's been like this since the wedding." Lara's walked in still sc

ELAINE’S POVThe morning after, I made eggs.I don't know why I thought eggs would help.Maybe the idea that a warm plate and a set table could help the silence that had settled between Richard and me like a third person in the room. I stood at the stove and cracked four eggs and told myself that last night was just tiredness. People did things they didn't mean when they were wrung out. People were careless with the people they loved most. It didn't mean anything.I plated everything nicely then folded the napkins.Richard came downstairs in a grey shirt and dark trousers, phone already in hand, and sat at the table without looking at me. I sat across from him and watched him scroll. He still didn’t look at me. "How was the drive back?" I asked."Fine." He didn't look up.I smiled tightly. "Was the hotel good at least?""It was fine, Elaine."I cut a piece of egg and moved it around. "I collected the award," I said, and immediately felt strange for saying it, like I was a child r

ELAINE’S POVI decided that I was going to ask him tonight after dinner. I was going to put my phone on the table and I was going to show Richard the messages."Madam, should I put the good glasses out?" Maria appeared at my elbow, a stack of dinner plates balanced carefully in both hands."Yes, the crystal ones." I smoothed the tablecloth and stepped back to look at the full picture. The dining room looked warm with candles lit, flowers in the center, and everything arranged the way Betty liked it even though Betty would find something to critique regardless. I turned to the plump housemaid. “And Maria, make sure the serving bowls have the ladles, last time-“"Last time she took them out herself and complained, I remember." Maria finished for me. I almost smiled. "Just make sure."The doorbell went at six-thirty. Betty walked in with Lara half a step behind her carrying a bottle of wine.They were both dressed in similar sapphire gowns, excerpt Lara’s own was much more provocativ