[Bonus chapter]First step in fixing the marriage

"What are you all doing again?" Mrs. Deng furrowed her brows, studying the servants in the kitchen. She marched towards them, noticing they were all eating. "What are you all doing when you should all be doing your jobs? Are you eating the foods in the fridge again?!"

"Mrs. Deng, that's not it. The young madam told us to have a break." Miriam smiled warmly, moving the box closer to the head maid. "She bought snacks for everyone, so we're enjoying it."

"It's really good, Mrs. Deng!" said a young maid while munching on the bread. "I don't think I've ever tasted a bread this soft and tasty!"

"Yes. Though, Ms. Miriam, are you sure this came from the young madam?" another male servant inquired, a little doubtful.

"Yes." Miriam smiled proudly. "It seemed the young madam is slowly opening her heart to the master."

"Really?" Doubt immediately turned up in everyone's eyes, making Miriam sigh quietly.

"Hah!" Mrs. Deng scoffed, scrunching her nose up in dismay. "As if that is true. If the young madam wants to fix her marriage, she would've done so long ago. But she never even looked at her son, let alone open her heart to the master! If only I know she had done something wrong, so she's trying to bribe everyone!"

"Mrs. Deng." Miriam frowned. "Please be careful of what you say. The person you are talking about is the young madam, not anyone else."

"So, what? I'm just telling the truth!" Mrs. Deng shrugged indifferently. "Even if she is the master's wife, it was only in papers. If not for the young master, I'm certain the one we are serving right now is a different woman!"

"Mary Rose!" this time, Miriam's usual gentle voice sounded firm. "Don't you wish for our master's family to be happy and complete? How can you speak about something so insensitive in the home of the people who had treated you as their family?"

"Miriam…" the young maid tugged Miriam's arm as if to stop her from arguing with Mrs. Deng.

Everyone in the household was used to Mrs. Deng's strict attitude. They were also aware of her disapproval of the master's wife. However, no matter how they flip the truth, Heaven was their boss's wife. Thus, Heaven was also their employer. They shouldn't talk badly about her and must keep their opinion to themselves.

"If you truly care for the young master and the master, you should fix your attitude. This is an advice from a colleague. Know your place." Miriam warned, huffing. "Please enjoy the young madam's treat. I forgot I should've given her an ice pack."

Miriam didn't idle, leaving everyone after getting ice from the fridge. Meanwhile, Mrs. Deng rolled her eyes with her hands folded under her chest. The two of them had served the Zhu Family almost at the same time. Therefore, if there was one servant who could scold Mrs. Deng, it was Miriam. Mrs. Deng never listened to Miriam, though.

*****

Miriam kept a deep frown as she carried a tray with a bucket of ice and an ice pack for Heaven's cheek. She was on her way upstairs where the madam's room was but stopped upon arriving in the family room.

"Madam?" called Miriam, surprised that Heaven hadn't retired to her room. With the tray in her hands, Miriam stood on the side of the couch.

Heaven was sitting upright, arms folded under her chest. Her eyes were fixed on the box of bread on the coffee table as if the poor breads had done a crime.

"Madam?" Miriam called once again, only to hear Heaven shush her.

"Shh! I'm in the middle of thinking, Miriam." Heaven narrowed her eyes seriously. "All of them were good. I wonder which one is the best?"

'Oh. That's what she's thinking.' Miriam pressed her lips into a thin line before she carefully sat on the edge of the couch. She placed the tray on her lap, eyes on Heaven.

"Will they last long for a week? Wouldn't he have a tummy ache if he eats it one week later?" Heaven wondered, tilting her head to the side. "How about that other one? From the way I see it, it seemed he is someone who sticks to a strict diet. Which bread would fit him?"

Miriam kept her eyes on Heaven as the latter kept mumbling, considering everything before giving it to Dominic. This brought a smile to Miriam's face, her eyes softening at Heaven's gesture. Her terrible mood just now — thanks to Mrs. Deng — dwindled because of the young madam.

"This one?" Heaven pointed at a simple loaf of bread, but immediately retrieved her finger as she shook her head. "No. Not that one. How about this one? Or this one?"

Heaven held her head as she felt her head throb. All she had to do was give something to Dominic. But why did that feel so hard? This was the first time Heaven would give Dominic something — a simple peace offering — and a subtle attempt to appease him. This was the first step in fixing this crumbling marriage. So, she wanted to make this first move perfect.

"Young Madam, whatever you give the master will be greatly appreciated." This time, Miriam took up the opportunity to help. When Heaven faced her squarely, she smiled from ear to ear. "Trust me, Madam."

"Miriam." Heaven sighed and then noticed the tray on Miriam's lap.

"Right. Young Madam, you should put this on your cheek so the swelling will lessen." Miriam moved her legs to face her. "I also brought an ointment for your lips. Here — or should I put it on?"

"It's okay." Heaven waved dismissively and then took the ice pack, placing it on her cheek. "Even if what you're saying is true, I still want to give something that I put a lot of thought into."

Heaven set her attention back to the box of bread. "Anyway, what time does he usually come home?"

"yes?"

"I mean Dominic. What time does he usually come home?"

"About that…" Miriam pressed her lips, looking at Heaven as if she didn't know how to answer.

"What?"

"The master doesn't come home every day. Sometimes, it'll take him three days or a week."

"..."