Her Mother-in-law

Fiona Kings.

Her husband's mother and her mother-in-law.

Before her marriage and even when her twin sister had been alive, Calla heard many rumors about this woman. Usually, Calla was not one to pay attention to people, but she did so to this woman because Fiona kings was the mother of the man she loved deeply from her bones.

Her beauty, her unrivaled arrogance, her suitors, her marriage…there were many things Calla knew about this woman from the rumors. The bad ones were not an exemption.

But…rumors were rumors. Not of all them were the truth.

There had been a mention of her affair during her marriage, but Calla paid no mind to that rumor. Even her sister was subjected to rumors about having numerous affairs before her death.

However, there was one that Calla knew as the truth. It was about her mother-in-law's marriage to her late father-in-law.

Her late father-in-law was a man who married into her mother-in-law's family, the kings' family. As for the reasons and details, there were numerous rumors about that, so Calla did not know which of them was true and false. The only rumor she was sure of was about her late father-in-law's marriage. After all, she married into the kings' family as well.

''Who's your mother, girl?''

Calla was not surprised to hear those sneering words from her mother-in-law. She also was not surprised to see the disdain in her eyes and frown on her lips. As she thought before, her mother-in-law was a very difficult person to please.

''Is there something you need mother-in-law?'' Calla changed the address with a forced smile on her lips as she remained standing near the sitting woman.

''So, I am not allowed to come into my son's home?'' Her mother-in-law's frown's deepened at her question.

''That's not...'' Calla tried to correct her words, but her mother-in-law did not bother to listen.

''You should know your place, girl. Do know how long I have been waiting for you? The maid told me that you went to that filthy university. Oh goodness, this just reminds me how you come to my home late at times. Who knows what you do with another outside of my family?'' Her mother-in-law eyed her suspiciously.

''....'' Calla made no effort to stand up for her innocence since her mother-in-law would say more backlash against herself.

''Frankly speaking, I don't know why someone like you exposes your ugly face to the world.''

Well….even if she did not speak, her mother-in-law would never waste a moment of throwing insults.

''.....'' But you didn't tell me about your visit.

Calla was tempted to retort, but she couldn't do so to her mother-in-law. She was a coward, and deeply feared what her mother-in-law would to say to her husband. Calla was not stupid not to sense this woman's obvious dislike. She didn't know the relationship between the mother and son, but she guessed it was good, since her mother-in-law always pointed about how she was unworthy to be her son's wife.

''Do you know how your appearance embarrasses me in the high society? Now I can't lift my head up high because my daughter-in-law has an ugly face, and is a criminal. Only the heavens know why you are not in jail. I wonder why that child decided to marry a criminal into my family.''

Again.

Her mother-in-law was insulting her again. From her appearance to everything about her herself, her mother-in-law always brought them down to the mud. Her words were reminders of how she was worthless and undeserving of her son.

''We both know your family must have bribed the officers. If it weren't for your background you wouldn't have been in my family. Then again, you are just a replacement. Although, I don't have good feelings about your sister, at least she wouldn't have been a black stain to this family if she were alive.''

''....'' Not a word was uttered from Calla as Fiona kings went on with her words. This wasn't her first time of hearing such words, and this wasn't her first time of lowering her gaze to the ground. There was nothing she could do, other than to keep quiet and lower head. Tears welled up in her eyes, but not a drop leaked to the ground.

If she cried, it would only worsen the situation, and her mother-in-law would probably downgrade her with more painful words.

Everything her mother-in-law said was true.

She was her twin sister's replacement and her killer.

Even if it wasn't her first time hearing those words, her heart still couldn't take them. Those words always pulled her to the deep bottom of the harsh reality of her life.

A replacement, an ugly freak and a killer.

*Knock* *Knock*

Calla did not need to know that it was Carol who knocked on the door. As always, Carol quietly entered the room to drop the refreshments on the mini side table and leave without a word.

Calla appreciated that Carol was smart woman who knew her place. If Carol tried to stand up for her, her mother-in-law's nitpicking would only get worse.

''It seems my daughter-in-law does not know my preference anymore. Carol, I don't need to tell you about that right? You are like my personal maid after all.''

There was another thing Calla had noticed about her mother-in-law. Apart from the servants, her mother-in-law always targeted Carol for no reason. Her mother-in-law was someone who ignored other servants since she sees them as people below her, but that was not the same with Carol.

As far as Calla knew, Carol was the longest-stayed servant in the kings family. She was deeply respected and favored by other servants. Calla also respected and liked Carol. She wasn't sure of her husband, but her mother-in-law seemed to hate Carol. Her mother-in-law always mention those words 'Personal maid,' as if to remind Carol that she was only servant to the kings' family and nothing more.

Perhaps there was something between her mother-in-law and Carol that was not known to many including herself.

''I will do as you say, Mrs. kings.'' Without a change in her expression, Carol gave a bow before leaving the room.

''Slut!'' Calla's ear was sharp to catch her mother-in-law's faint curse. Once again, it wasn't her first time of experiencing this.

''Right. The next time I am coming here, a young lady will be tagging along. I need to prepare for the time my son will divorce you. By then, I should have a perfect daughter-in-law suitable and worthy to be in my family.''

''...'' In response to those words, Calla only gripped the ends of her hoodie. She could take people insulting her appearance and other aspects of her life, but she could never joke with her husband.

''She will be staying here for a few days. I don't think I need to tell you what to do, girl.''

''….As you wish, mother-in-law.'' Calla spoke what her mother-in-law wanted to hear.

''It's good that you understand. You can go now.'' Her mother-in-law dismissed her and Calla did not waste time in leaving that room.

On her way, she saw Carol with a tray filled with her mother's preferences, but Calla did not glance at her and walked ahead to the bedroom she stayed in. Carol also did not stop her, probably knowing that it was not a good time.

It didn't take long for Calla to enter her room. Immediately she closed the door, her back relaxed on the flat surface and her body slid down to the floor. Her eyes looked forward, teary and dull, void of the little shine before meeting her mother-in-law. At the same time, they were clouded as if she was not in the present but in the past.

''Why?'' She questioned herself in a whisper.

Why does no one ever see her pain?

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