Chapter 834
The last flicker of hope in Amelia’s heart vanished. Exhausting days and nights pressed down on her, making it hard to breathe. Her harsh mother-in-law and sister-in-law, the inaction of the men, and the wicked Aurora, who occasionally emerged from her hiding place in Blessed Haven to snatch things away—it all felt like a cage. This house no longer felt like a home.
Dragged to Rebecca’s chamber, Amelia was forced to kneel beside the bed. She looked up blankly at her father-in-law and Barrett, both wearing expressions of blame. Her gaze shifted to her husband, whose eyes burned with fury. He slapped her hard, then turned to his mother, saying, “Mom, please calm down. I’ve already taught her a lesson. She won’t dare do that again.”
Seeing her son’s devotion, Rebecca relented. “Fine. She’s not from a prominent family, so it’s not surprising that she’s a bit stingy and shabby in her ways.”
Amelia’s cheek throbbed, but the pain was nothing compared to the ache in her heart. This heartache was followed by a numbing despair.
The next day, before dawn, servants preparing to buy meat and vegetables noticed the back door wide open, letting in a chilling wind.
“Why wasn’t the back door closed last night? Who was so careless?” one servant grumbled. “If something goes missing, we’ll have to blame someone. There are enough problems already.” He wrapped his coat tighter and stepped out, shutting the door against the cold breeze. “It’s getting colder. Why hasn’t the winter clothing been issued yet?” He muttered as he fetched a cart and headed out into the alley.
When Benjamin woke, Amelia wasn’t in their room. He didn’t think much of it. She usually rose early to attend to Rebecca. After last night’s punishment, she would likely be even more attentive. Feeling reassured that he had his wife under control—unlike his brother, at the mercy of two women—he thought nothing of it. The men returned to their duties.
Meanwhile, Rebecca was furious. “What time is it? Why isn’t someone here with my breakfast? Go find her!”
Rebecca’s maid, Tara, hurried off but couldn’t find Amelia. When she asked Amelia’s maid, the latter replied, “Isn’t she with Madam Rebecca? Madam Amelia has been going over early lately.”
“She’s not there! That’s why Madam Rebecca is in a rage. Hurry and find her. Is she in the kitchen? Otherwise, she’ll be scolded again!”
“It’s not like there’s no one attending to Madam Rebecca. Why does Madam Amelia have to wake up so early to serve her?” said Amelia’s maid, Beth, feeling sorry for her mistress.
“Be quiet,” Tara snapped, glaring. “What family doesn’t do this? When the parents are ill, it’s the daughter-in-law’s duty to care for them. If people learn of this, Madam Amelia will earn a reputation for being devoted.”
“Madam Amelia is managing the household now. She barely sleeps three hours a night, working from dawn till dusk. Please, Tara, say a few kind words for her to Madam Rebecca so she can catch her breath,” Beth pleaded.
Tara sighed. “Fine. Go check the kitchen. Is she brewing medicine? Madam Rebecca has been in a foul mood and won’t let her off easily. I’ll talk to Madam Rebecca about it in a few days.”
“Thank you, Tara.” Beth rushed off.
However, after searching Valor Estate, she still couldn’t find Amelia. Panicked, she reported back to Tara.
Rebecca overheard and snapped, “Where could she be? Isn’t she just hiding with the second branch of the family and daydreaming there? Go and tell the second branch that if they aren’t going to handle the household affairs, they shouldn’t pretend to care.”
Tara went herself, but Charlotte frowned. “Didn’t someone just come looking for her? We already said she wasn’t here. Why would you think I’m hiding her? If Rebecca wants to send someone to search, let her do it. If they find her, I’ll kneel and apologize. Is that good enough?”