Chapter 16

Conversation hummed around the dining table as the family awaited Roslyn's arrival. Alexander's gaze repeatedly drifted upstairs, anticipation etched on his face. Then, Roslyn glided into the room, her poised presence commanding attention.

She settled into her seat, surveying the room with a confident sweep of her eyes. Servants bustled about, serving breakfast. Roslyn's gaze locked onto Lylah and Malicia, their faces contorted in disdain.

"I'd love a cup of tea this morning," Roslyn declared, her voice clear and confident.

The room fell silent, all eyes snapping towards her. Victoria's eyebrows arched.

"Summon a servant, why bother us?" Victoria's tone dripped with disdain.

Roslyn's smile shimmered. She turned to Lylah, her voice honey-sweet.

"Lylah, darling, would you kindly brew me a cup of tea?"

Gasps ricocheted around the room. Malicia's face flamed.

"How dare you speak to my daughter like that! Mind your manners!" Malicia's voice seethed.

Alexander remained impassive, his gaze fixed intently on Roslyn.

Victoria's outrage was palpable. "You're overstepping, Roslyn. Lylah is a member of this household, not your servant."

Roslyn's gaze never wavered, her voice steady and assertive. "She's an unwanted guest of this house, someone who has overstayed her welcome. Aunt Malicia, you left your husband and came here on your own accord, without any invitation or consent from Alexander or his family. You've taken advantage of Alexander's kindness and generosity for far too long. For five whole years, you and Lylah have lived in this house, enjoying its luxuries and comforts without contributing anything. Neither of you has any rightful claim to this house or its assets. You're freeloaders, leeching off Alexander's wealth and charity."

The room seemed to shrink, the tension suffocating, as if the very air had grown thick and heavy. "Now, they'll have to work to live here or leave this house," Roslyn declared, her words hanging in the air like a challenge, daring anyone to defy her.

Lylah's face paled, her eyes welling up with tears, as she struggled to comprehend the stark reality. Her lips trembled, and her hands clenched into fists.

Malicia's expression darkened, her eyes blazing with fury, like embers ignited by Roslyn's bold statement. Her face reddened, and her voice trembled with rage.

Victoria's lips thinned, her eyes flashing with indignation. "How dare you!" she spat, her voice venomous.

Alexander, however, remained unaffected, his expression neutral. He sipped his coffee, his eyes fixed on the cup, seemingly oblivious to the tension.

The servants, sensing the escalating tension, exchanged nervous glances, their hands hovering over the breakfast dishes.

The room remained fRoseen, time suspended, as the weight of Roslyn's words settled upon the gathered family members.

Malicia's voice dropped to a menacing whisper. "You'll regret this, Roslyn. Mark my words."

Roslyn's gaze never wavered, her determination unwavering. "I'm not intimidated," she replied, her voice steady.

Alexander's calm demeanor stood in stark contrast to the turmoil surrounding him, his silence speaking volumes. He neither condoned nor condemned Roslyn's statement, his focus inward.

The battle lines were drawn, the stakes clear. The question remained: who would emerge victorious?

Malicia's face twisted in outrage. "Look how this girl is insulting me! How can you remain silent, sister?" She demanded, her voice dripping with venom.

Victoria's eyes blazed with fury as she strode towards Roslyn, her hand raised, ready to strike. The room erupted into chaos as everyone jumped to their feet, their chairs scraping against the floor.

Malicia and Lylah exchanged triumphant smirks, relishing the impending confrontation.

But just as Victoria's palm was about to connect with Roslyn's cheek, a firm hand grasped her wrist, halting her momentum.

The room fRosee, shocked gazes snapping towards the intervenor. Victoria's eyes widened as she took in her son's resolute face.

Alexander's grip on her wrist remained unyielding. "Don't even think it, Mother," he warned, his voice low and authoritative.

Victoria's indignation deepened. "You're insulting my sister for this...this girl?" she spat.

Alexander's expression remained unwavering. "Roslyn is the lady of this house, and her words hold weight. Whatever she decrees will be law. Disobeying her would be disrespecting me, and you know I won't tolerate that."

The room fell silent, stunned by Alexander's unexpected defense of Roslyn. Malicia's smirk faltered, and Lylah's eyes widened in shock.

Victoria's face reddened, her voice trembling. "You're choosing her over your own family?"

Alexander's response was unflinching. "I'm choosing respect and order in this household. Roslyn's words may be harsh, but they're not entirely wrong."

Roslyn's lips curled into a triumphant grin, her eyes sparkling with satisfaction.

The room remained fRoseen, the tension palpable, as the family struggled to comprehend Alexander's sudden allegiance shift.

Malicia's voice dripped with malice. "Fine, we'll play by her rules...for now."

Alexander's gaze never wavered, his message clear: Roslyn was under his protection, and any disrespect towards her would be met with consequences.

Malicia's POV

"Ugh, the audacity of that woman! How dare she speak to me like that? But I'll have to swallow this insult for now. I cannot afford to leave this house, not before I achieve my goals. My priority is to secure Lylah's marriage to Alexander, and that can only happen if we remain under this roof.

"If I react impulsively, Victoria will take Roslyn's side, and my plans will be ruined. I need to play it cool, act innocent, and pretend to be the victim. Victoria must remain oblivious to my true intentions.

"I'll have to bear this humiliation, but it's a small price to pay for the ultimate prize. Once Lylah is married to Alexander, we'll be set for life. This house, the wealth, the status—everything will be ours.

"But Roslyn... she's a thorn in my side. She thinks she's so clever, trying to assert her authority. Little does she know, I've been playing this game for years. I've manipulated Victoria, played on her sympathies, and now it's time to take down Roslyn.

"Patience, Malicia, patience. Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment. Keep the end goal in mind. Lylah's future, our future, depends on it.

"I'll smile, I'll nod, and I'll pretend to be the dutiful sister-in-law. But behind closed doors, I'll plot, I'll scheme, and I'll ensure Roslyn's downfall. This isn't over, Roslyn. Not by a long shot."

Malicia's thoughts swirled with calculation and determination, her mind racing with strategies to outmaneuver Roslyn and secure her family's future.

Roslyn's POV

"I'm stunned, utterly bewildered by Alexander's sudden change of heart. Just moments ago, I was prepared for the worst, expecting him to defend his aunt and cousin as he always has. But instead, he stood up for me, asserting my authority in this household.

"Why? What's behind this sudden shift? Is it genuine? Does he truly intend to give our marriage another chance? Or is this just another ploy to manipulate me?

"I was testing him, pushing him to reveal his true self. I wanted to see if he'd revert to his old ways, taking Malicia and Lylah's side, dismissing my feelings as he always has. But he surprised me.

"Alexander's words echo in my mind: 'Roslyn is the lady of this house... Disobeying her would be disrespecting me.' The conviction in his voice, the firmness in his gaze—it's unsettling.

"Can I trust him? Should I dare to hope? Or is this just a temporary reprieve from the toxic dynamics that have plagued our marriage?

"I've been hurt before, repeatedly. The scars still linger, making me wary of opening up. But a part of me yearns to believe Alexander's words, to think that maybe, just maybe, we can start anew.

"But what about Malicia and Lylah? They won't take this lying down. They'll scheme, they'll plot, and they'll stop at nothing to regain their footing.

"Alexander's defense of me has ignited a spark of hope, but I must tread cautiously. One misstep, and everything could implode.

"I need to stay vigilant and protect myself from the fallout. Yet, a tiny voice within me whispers, 'What if?' What if Alexander's change of heart is genuine? What if we can rebuild our marriage on stronger foundations?

"The uncertainty is suffocating, but I'll keep my guard up, observing Alexander's actions, searching for consistency. Only time will reveal his true intentions."

" I look at Roslyn; I'm struck by the realization of how grossly I've failed her in the past. I've consistently turned a blind eye to her concerns and invalidated her feelings. My ignorance and bias have blinded me to the harm that's been done to our relationship.

"Today, witnessing Roslyn's courage in standing up for herself, I see the truth. She's been right all along, and I've been wrong. I've let my own biases and assumptions cloud my judgment.

"No more. Today marks a turning point. I will no longer stand idly by while Roslyn suffers. I'll protect her and support her, ensuring she feels seen and heard.

"Memories flood my mind—instances where I should have taken her side, listened to her concerns, and validated her emotions. Instead, I let my own doubts and fears drive us apart.

"Roslyn deserves better. She deserves a husband who champions her, supports her, and loves her unconditionally. I've failed her in the past, but I vow to make amends.

"This time, I won't leave her alone to face her challenges. I'll stand by her, shoulder to shoulder, and work together to rebuild our relationship.

"My love for Roslyn has been dormant, suppressed by my own doubts and fears. But today, it roars back to life, fiercer and more resolute than ever.

"I'll prove to Roslyn that I'm committed to our marriage, to rebuilding trust, and to creating a safe haven where she can thrive. I'll listen, I'll learn, and I'll grow alongside her.

"Today, I start anew, dedicated to being the husband Roslyn deserves – one who will stand by her side, through every joy and every struggle."

I glance at Roslyn, a warm smile spreading across my face. Her eyes, still shimmering with unshed tears and a hint of anger, meet mine. I sense her surprise at my sudden change of heart, but it's clear she's still wary.

My smile deepens, and I reach out, covering her hand with mine. Roslyn's gaze lingers on our intertwined hands, her expression unreadable.

The silence between us is thick with tension. I know I've hurt her deeply, and my recent defense of her doesn't erase the pain of my past refusals to divorce her.

Roslyn's eyes narrow slightly, her jaw tightening. She doesn't pull her hand away, but her body language screams caution. I understand; I've earned her distrust.

"I mean it, Roslyn," I say softly, my voice filled with conviction. "I'll make things right between us."

Roslyn's expression remains skeptical, her eyes flashing with lingering resentment. She doesn't respond, her silence speaking volumes.

I don't pressure her to forgive me or acknowledge my words. Instead, I simply hold her hand, offering a gentle squeeze. It's a small gesture, but I hope it conveys my commitment to rebuilding our relationship.

Lylah approached Roslyn with an innocent-looking tray, a steaming cup of tea perched precariously on its edge. Her smile seemed sugary sweet, but Roslyn detected a malicious glint in her eye.

As Lylah drew closer, her foot seemingly slipped, and she stumbled forward. The tea cup teetered, threatening to spill its scalding contents all over Roslyn.

But Roslyn's instincts screamed warning, and she swiftly pushed her chair back, narrowly avoiding the impending disaster. Lylah's eyes flashed with frustration as her plan was foiled.

However, Lylah's momentum proved unstoppable. She crashed to the ground, the tea cup shattering on the floor beside her. The scalding liquid splashed upward, engulfing Lylah's hand.

Lylah's shriek pierced the air as she clutched her burned hand to her chest. "Ahh! Oh, God!" She wailed, tears streaming down her face.

Malicia rushed toward her daughter, concern etched on her face. "Lylah, darling! Oh, my poor baby!" she exclaimed, cradling Lylah's injured hand in hers.

Alexander's expression darkened. "Lylah, what were you thinking?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing.

Roslyn watched the scene unfold, her eyes never leaving Lylah's face. She knew that "accident" had been no mistake—it was a deliberate attempt to harm her.

Victoria's voice cut through the commotion. "Someone, fetch ice! Now!" she ordered, her eyes wide with alarm.

As the room erupted into chaos, Roslyn remained calm, her gaze locked on Lylah's tear-stained face. She saw the malice lurking beneath the innocent facade, and her resolve hardened: she would not be intimidated.

Malicia's eyes met Roslyn's, a spark of anger igniting within them. "You did this," she hissed, her voice barely audible.

Roslyn's response was icy. "I saved myself from your daughter's clumsiness."

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