Chapter 5: No More Delusions
Due to an infection in her burn, Emilia spent the entire night in a drowsy haze after taking the medication prescribed by the doctor.
When she finally woke up, it was broad daylight.
Startled, Emilia hurriedly got up, tidied herself briefly, and stepped out of her tiny nanny room. But to her surprise, Timothy was not at home.
He had gone to work without waking her to make breakfast? |
The sound of footsteps behind her snapped her thoughts back.
Well, well, sleeping in until noon. Are you here to be a maid or to play the lady of the house?”
Emilia turned around to see Sarah standing there in a silk nightgown, her expression displeased.
“I was going to wake you up, but Timothy stopped me, saying you needed rest because of your injury. What kind of spell did you cast on him, you sly fox?”
“Sarah. I didn’t-
“Shut up! Do you think you can call me Sarah?”
Sarah pulled a dress from a shopping bag and thrust it at Emilia. “Maids should know their place. Take this dress and wash it. By hand! It’s real silk!” []
“Miss Murphy, the doctor said I shouldn’t get my wound wet for a few days,” Emilia instinctively touched her right arm, where blisters had formed. It still burned with pain.
Sarah threw the dress at Emilia, her voice filled with disdain. “Are you done playing the victim yet, you pathetic little wretch? It’s just a burn, and you’re acting like some pampered princess. No matter how pitiful you act, Timothy won’t spare you a second glancel”
“Now go wash it, or I’ll have Timothy throw you out! ]
Emilia clamped her mouth shut, knowing there was no point in arguing. I
“Yes, Miss Murphy. I’ll wash it now.”
She plunged her hands into the icy, biting water and gasped sharply at the shock. Carefully, she began washing the dress, trying to avoid soaking her injured arm too much.
A stubborn stain on the dress caught her attention. As she leaned in to scrub harder, her arm grazed the water, bursting one of her blisters.
The sharp pain made her cry out softly. In her startled motion, she accidentally tipped over the water basin. I
Water, soup,
, and the dress spilled onto the floor. A loud ripping sound followed as the silk dress tore at the seam.
The commotion brought Sarah rushing over.
Seeing the scene before her, Sarah’s face twisted in rage. []
“You tore my dress? Are you asking to die?” []
Her fury boiling over. Sarah raised her hand and slapped Emilia hard across the face. Emilia stumbled backward, falling onto the floor.
“You shameless woman! You couldn’t seduce Timothy, so now you’re resorting to petty revenge on me? Timothy must have been blind to ever take an interest in someone like your
“What’s going on here?” Timothy’s voice cut through the air.
Sarah flinched, startled by his sudden arrival. She hadn’t noticed Timothy returning home during her tirade.
Quickly composing herself, Sarah turned to Timothy with
ars in her eyes and latched onto his arm
“Timothy, I just asked Emilia to hand–wash my new dress from yesterday. You know her injury, right? I told her she didn’t have to, but she insisted. Then I walked in and saw her ripping the dress while cursing at me. I tried to stop her, and that’s when the basin tipped over.”
Tears welled up as Sarah clutched Timothy’s arm, her voice trembling. “Timothy, this dress was for our big day next week. Now it’s ruined. What should I do?”
Emilia, still sitting on the ground with her cheek red and swollen, felt a cold, bitter despair rise within her.
Her voice came out weak and frail. “That’s not what happened.
A memory suddenly flashed in her mind–of when she was in primary school, cornered by a group of bullies demanding her lunch money. Timothy had come to her rescue, facing down three boys on his own.
Even though he couldn’t overpower them, his fearless determination had been enough to scare them off.
Back then, Timothy had been like a fierce little beast, baring his claws and teeth to protect her at all costs. [
But now, those claws and teeth were turned against her. []
As expected, Timothy didn’t want to hear her explanation. [
“Emilia, I’m extremely disappointed in your His voice was cold and stern. []
“Go apologize to Sarah immediately!” (
Emilia slowly got to her feet, bowed deeply toward Sarah, and said, “Miss Murphy, I’m sorry. It was my fault.”
“It’s okay,” Sarah said with feigned magnanimity, wiping a fake tear. “I understand how Emilia must feel. Seeing us so in love must be unbearable for her.”
Timothy’s face darkened. “If she dares to entertain such improper thoughts again, I’ll kick her out without hesitation.”
“The daughter of my father’s murderer–letting her live in my house instead of burying her alongside him is already a mercy.”
He turned back to Emilia, his tone icy. “Your punishment is mos me
Emilia complied silently.
Improper thoughts? She laughed bitterly to herself. (
There would be no more of those. [
Two more weeks, just t
two more weeks, and she’d be gone. Just hold on, she told herself. You’ll never have to see him again.
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