Chapter 8

"Hi, everyone."

"Hi, Sarah," Ruth answered.

I greeted Ruth, who couldn’t take her eyes off my shopping bags. Lorraine was staring at them too. She must have noticed the branded bags I was carrying.

I pretended not to care and placed all my shopping bags on the dining table.

Derrick followed me into the bedroom. "Where did you get the money to buy all this stuff?" he asked, his face turning red.

"It’s my money," I replied firmly.

"Where did you get so much money? These are expensive things, right?" he asked again.

"What’s wrong with you? Yesterday you said I couldn’t buy nice clothes because I didn’t manage my money well. Now that I’ve bought them, you’re mad. You're the one who told me to look nice." I tried to stay calm.

Derrick went silent.

"Derrick, come here!" Ruth called from the living room.

They seemed to be having a serious conversation.

"This house is the only asset our family has, Lorraine. I don't agree with using it as collateral for a bank loan." Derrick’s voice sounded angry.

"But Jack needs capital to start his business. Plus we’re not working anymore." Lorraine’s voice was raised too.

What? Lorraine had quit her job? Why? Hadn't she just started a new one?

"What if Jack’s business fails? How will we repay the loan?" Derrick asked.

Everyone went silent. Still in the bedroom, I peeked through the door. Their faces were tense.

"I’ll find another job. Maybe there’s a vacancy at your company, Derrick?" Lorraine asked.

Derrick sighed heavily.

"I can’t promise anything," he replied, sounding reluctant.

He clearly didn’t want to use the house as collateral, especially since he hadn’t been able to buy a house yet.

"Excuse me."

"Hi, Kendall, come in!" Ruth called as Kendall walked in from the side entrance.

"Lorraine, this is Kendall, Sonia’s daughter. She works with Derrick," Ruth explained to Lorraine.

"Kendall." The homewrecker extended her hand to Lorraine.

"Lorraine," Lorraine replied, shaking Kendall’s hand with a smile.

"Kendall, are there any openings at your office? I’d like to apply," Lorraine asked.

‘Hello! The boss is right here, not Kendall.’ I chuckled to myself in the bedroom.

"Just apply, Lorraine. I know a lot of bosses at the office," Kendall said.

‘What? She knows a lot of bosses? Wow!’ I covered my mouth to hold my laughter.

"Thank you so much, Kendall," Lorraine said happily.

I smiled to myself. I had an idea to get back at Lorraine.

I quickly called Bradley.

-

"Hello, may I see Ms. Johnson?!" It sounded like our neighbor was looking for me.

"Hello. Oh, Ruby, come on in!" Ruth invited Ruby and another woman who looked to be in her forties.

I went out to meet them.

"Ms. Johnson, this is Sofia who will be working here."

Ruth’s eyes widened when she heard Ruby’s words. She looked at me for an explanation.

"Oh yes. Sofia, this is my mother-in-law."

"Mom, I asked Ruby to bring someone to help around the house while I’m at work," I explained gently to Ruth.

"Are you sure, Sarah? How much are you earning that you can afford a maid?" Lorraine interrupted arrogantly.

"That’s my business, not yours," I replied, annoyed.

"But she won’t stay here, Mom. She’ll come in the morning and leave in the evening or night after I return from work," I explained further.

Although Ruth hadn’t been very kind to me, I still had to get her approval since it was her house.

"Fine. As long as you’re responsible for her pay and don’t burden Derrick," Ruth replied sharply, as usual.

"Don’t worry about that, Mom." I smiled, glad she had given her consent.

"Alright, Sofia can start tomorrow to get used to the work and the family here."

Sofia and Ruby left.

I saw Lorraine and Derrick still arguing about using Ruth’s house as collateral. I could see sadness on Ruth’s face. She probably didn’t agree either, but she always went along with her children’s wishes. She couldn’t do anything about it.

Eventually, Derrick reluctantly agreed to Lorraine’s request.

Lorraine and her husband left happily, carrying Ruth’s property title.

If things were different, if they had always been kind and respectful to me as a family member, if Derrick hadn’t betrayed me, I would have gladly helped this family.

But I was just an ordinary person with feelings and pride. They had treated me poorly for eight years. I had tried to be patient all this time because arguing was pointless and would only make things worse.

I was not the type to enjoy conflict, but they had taken advantage of my generosity. Soon, it would be time for me to reveal my true identity. I would no longer be the gullible, meek wife they thought I was.

At Uncle Benny’s farewell party next week, I would be introduced as the new CEO in front of all the employees. I couldn’t wait to see their faces.

-

Sofia arrived at six a.m. the next day. Gillian seemed to get along well with her. She was attentive and efficient in caring for Gillian and helping with other tasks.

"Sofia, just focus on taking care of Gillian, Mom, and the housework here. Don’t do anything else, especially if someone else asks you, except for me or Mom," I explained.

"Understood, Ms. Johnson," Sofia replied, nodding.

While we were cooking in the kitchen, I heard Lorraine’s voice from the living room. Curious, I moved closer.

"Kendall!"

"Yes, Lorraine?"

"I’ve brought my application. Please help me out. Thank you so much. You’re so kind to help me. If only you had met Derrick sooner. It would be nice to have a helpful sister-in-law like you, Kendall."

Kendall was grinning foolishly. Maybe she was getting carried away.

'My dearest sister-in-law, don’t you worry. You will definitely be accepted at my company. I also want to see your shocked expression when you see me there.

'I've also prepared a suitable position for you, Lorraine.' I chuckled to myself, thinking about the job I was about to give her.