Her Graceful War Song

Amelia stared wide–eyed at Rebecca’s furious and twisted face. The words “divorce” and “get out” left her feeling dazed and empty–headed. Confused and helpless, Amelia slowly stood up and began to walk out.

“Come back here! I’m not done yelling at you! How dare you? How dare you?! Asking your mother–in–law to sell her things–you have no shame, you filthy wretch! You dirty little thing! Rebecca shouted, her intensifying as she saw Amelia trying to leave, “Come back here! Someone grab her!”

rage

Perhaps it was due to Amelia’s trembling body and unsteady steps that resembled a fragile vase on the verge of shattering but no one dared to physically restrain her.

Instead, they urged, “Madam Amelia, please wail!”

It was as if Amelia couldn’t hear them. She continued walking, step by step, back toward her own. courtyard. However, at the end of the corridor, she caught sight of Viola, heavily pregnant and supported. by Poppy

Instinctively, Amelia took a step back, remembering how Viola had once handed her a pair of scissors. A shiver ran through her as she felt a surge of fear.

“What’s the meaning of this? Why did you only buy two Evergreen Pills? Didn’t I tell you to get seven or eight?” Viola asked, her dissatisfaction clear. “Don’t even try to tell me you don’t have the money. I discussed it with Barrett last night. You’ll be managing the household from now on, and Barrett will contribute 30 percent of his salary to the family fund. We’ll handle the rest of his salary ourselves.”

“30 percent?” Amelia began to regain some of her rationality, only to feel a sharp sting on her cheeks as she instinctively covered them. “30 percent? Why is it 30 percent? Everyone else is contributing nearly all of their salary. How can we make ends meet with just that?”

“Why can’t we make it work? We’ve always managed before, haven’t we? Even when Barrett’s salary was lower, we still made do,” Viola retorted.

Amelia swallowed hard. “So, you’re saying that from now on, if you contribute 30 percent, you will take care of your own living expenses, food, and travel?”

Viola sneered. “Are you out of your mind? If I’m managing my own expenses, then why would I contribute. 30 percent to the family fund?”

Amelia felt a buzzing in her ears but still tried to speak to Viola as if they were having a normal conversation, ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“But the biggest expenses in the household are yours! Your royal jelly and supplements, and then there’s Aurora. Do you have any idea how much it costs each month for all the maids and servants you keep? 30 percent won’t even cover your expenses, not to mention Mother’s medicine. Are you saying Barrett won’t help with that?

“And what about you? You’re raising children, but I don’t have to? I’ve sold all my jewelry, and yet you can still eat royal jelly every day…”

Viola sneered coldly. “Ah, so that’s it! You’re jealous of me eating royal jelly. You want a taste too? Fine, I’ll set some aside for you every day. I’ve never seen someone so greedy–trying to snatch royal jelly from a pregnant woman. Aren’t you afraid of embarrassing yourself if word gets out?”

Amelis felt a mix of anger and shame as she looked at Viola, who radiated confidence and wealth, starkly contrasting her own meager state

Suddenly, she felt that no words would suffice

Silently, she returned to her room and sat there for a long time. She didn’t touch her food or water, lost in thought until her husband, Benjamin, came home.

He was fuming. As soon as he stepped through the door, his mom’s servants had called for him and launched into a scathing recap of events. It was only after he pieced together the situation that he learned his wife had actually suggested selling Rebecca’s jewelry to make ends meet.

Wasn’t that a slap in his face? Wasn’t that a direct indidation of his ability to provide?

“What kind of madness is this?” Benjamin exploded as soon as he entered the room. “You, as my wife. have the audacity to tell my mom to sell her jewelry to support the family? Is there anyone more disrespectful than you?”

Amelia raised her pale face. Ever since she returned to the room, she had been wrestling with the thought that her life felt utterly miserable. But as long as her husband understood her, she could bear it all,

Yet, she didn’t receive a word of comfort from him. Instead, he launched into a tirade without bothering to understand the full story. Amelia felt her heart sink to the depths of despair.

Benjamin grabbed her arm harshly. “What are you spacing out for? Hurry up and apologize to my mom! The servants said you were out for half the day and didn’t bother to attend to her when you got back. Is this how a daughter–in–law behaves? You’re so disrespectful–what good are you to me?”