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The figure turned around, and I got a clear look at who it was.

"Oh, Catherine."

"Oh, Catherine? You don't sound happy to see your mother-in-law," she huffed, a trace of annoyance in her voice.

Did I say that out loud?

"I'm just tired. Why are you here?" I began to take my shoes off. "And why does the house smell like an ice cream vending machine?" I tried not to sniff too loudly, but the vanilla scent was overwhelming.

She turned back to flipping pancakes. "Oh, the house smelled like a flower garden, which is not much of a fancy scent. Besides, I'm having a friend over, and she likes this scent, so I thought, why not go for a change?"

I rolled my eyes. "So... why are you here?"

"To take care of my son's house. I don't need permission to do that, do I?" She looked back at me with a very condescending smile.

"No, you don't. Make yourself at home. The maids will give you whatever you need," I said, turning to leave, but stopped halfway when she called my name.

"Why don't you go move you