Illegitmate.

Chapter 3. Illegitimate.

When he came downstairs, he saw that food was on the table and the smell was really good. He didn't eat breakfast so he thought the cook prepared it for Rory. But it was too early. She probably wouldn't wake up until ten, so why did they prepare it this early?

On the dining table were different kinds of foods people ate for breakfast: Bacon and scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes and honey, waffles and whipped cream, orange juice and milk. The spread was nice. So much for one person? It also smelled really good.

Then he saw Rory bringing out a bowl of what he recognized to be Tofu Scramble.

The table also had jugs of orange juice, milk, and coffee.

***

Her eyes closed naturally. She knew she was going to be hit for what she did. She was always beaten when she spoke out or got herself into matters that her stepmom always said didn't concern her.

However, after a few seconds passed, she noticed that the slap never landed.

She opened her eyes, still holding caution, who knew what kind of psychopath he was? She got married to him, didn't mean she trusted him. She trusted no one but herself.

She observed that Daniel just stared at her with furrowed brows. He didn't understand what was going on in her mind. Did she think he was going to hit her?

Rory chuckled nervously and said, "You know what, it's not necessary to eat breakfast. It's fine if you don't want to"

Daniel just walked past her, went to the dining table, and sat down.

Aurora was stunned. He changed his mind.

Minutes passed and she heard Daniel ask irritatedly, "Do you need an invitation?"

"Oh right. Sorry," She joined him and they both started eating.

They were eating in rather comfortable silence, like couples who had been living together for years and believed that talking would spoil the harmonious atmosphere.

Once Daniel took the first bite out of the tofu scramble, he was impressed that he couldn't stop himself from taking the second bite and the third. He was a workaholic and rarely ate, thus resulting in him having stomach problems, one that he didn't take care of and progressively got worse. He didn't even know the reason he even agreed to have breakfast with her. He just did.

"I don't hit women" Daniel finally broke the silence and Rory looked up from her meal. She was pleasantly surprised that he was assuring her. They just met but she already caught on that he wasn't someone who liked talking, let alone reassuring someone. It felt nice.

She was about to say something but her face fell when she heard the continuation that she didn't know was meant to be said.

"Even girls…"

"Then you got married to a girl and according to the law, marriage is between a man and a woman, not a man and a girl, so that makes you a pervert" She retorted. How dare he?

"Are you sure you are a girl?" Was his response when he stopped eating and stared in her direction. But she noticed he wasn't looking directly at her as he uttered his statement.

Rory followed his line of sight and saw he was looking at her chest. Her flat chest.

She covered her chest with her hand, jumped up in fright curled up her legs on the chair, and yelled, "You pervert!"

She threw bacon in his direction, but unfortunately, she missed and fell to the ground.

She saw Daniel staring at her with a mocking look in his eyes as if saying, "And you said you weren't a kid"

Daniel finished his plate and Rory asked excitedly, "How was it? Was it good? Do you want more?"

"Noisy" Hearing his reply, Rory pouted.

"Such a meanie!"

Daniel paused and said blandly, "Not bad"

"Really?" Her eyes lit up like she just received an amazing gift for Christmas. She had never been complimented before. It wasn't a compliment, per se but it was the closest thing to a compliment she had ever received from someone who wasn't her grandma and her Nana.

She noticed he didn't eat much. He only ate two slices of toast and drank the coffee.

Daniel stood up and was about to leave when he saw the chef walk in.

The chef was an older woman wearing a chef's outfit. Her brown eyes went wide with shock when she saw the feast on the table.

She saw Rory sitting down at the opposite end of the table, head buried in her food.

"If you don't know your job, it's better to let someone else do it for you" Daniel's voice was colder than ice. The chef just bowed her head and quickly apologized, "It's my fault, sir"

Rory felt bad for the woman. She was scolded because of her. She wanted to speak up but Daniel had already left.

"Ah! Such a grumpy man" She shook her head.

The chef was about to leave but Rory stopped her.

"Hi. I'm Rory. And I'm also sorry for what happened. It's my fault. I just thought I should cook dinner because I thought it was my duty and that landed you in trouble" She apologized sincerely.

"You don't need to apologize to me, young madam. I didn't know you would be an early riser. If I had, I would have gotten up earlier" The chef explained.

"Don't worry about that. Just make breakfast at the usual time you make breakfast for Daniel"

"But the young master doesn't eat breakfast…." She covered her mouth with her hand. She said something she wasn't supposed to say.

"What do you mean by that?" Rory grew curious. How could someone not eat breakfast?

"Nothing. I'll prepare breakfast by 7 am every morning. Is that okay ma'am" The chef bowed her head and ran away before Rory could reply.

"Weird"

***

Daniel remembered Rory's face when he raised his hand and voice and for some inexplicable reason his heart clenched.

What did she go through in the Devane house?

"Frank, find out everything on my wife."

Frank was in shock at his words. 'His wife?' Was the boss finally liking someone after her.

***

"She's such an unfilial child! She's nothing like my Sammy!" A woman who was in her mid-forties spoke resentfully. The person who spoke was Mrs. Devane, Aurora's stepmom.

Her patience wore thin when she kicked Aurora out of the house. That good-for-nothing dared to push her daughter down the stairs. Her baby landed in the hospital and she has been here for a week. It's all thanks to that disgraceful child.

"Mom, don't say that. Rory didn't mean to do it. It was an accident". Her voice was gentle. She was Sammy. She was lying on the hospital bed. Her face was extremely pale and white. Her face alone could make you want to protect her. She looked weak.

"An accident? It wasn't an accident. She deliberately pushed you off the stairs, Sammy!" Mrs. Devane argued. She wasn't having any of it.

"But mom…"

"But nothing!" Mrs Devane interrupted Sammy. She was a mother and no mother would watch and allow their daughter to go through any pain. Now her daughter was in a hospital she would never forgive Rory for this. Her anger vanished when she looked at her daughter's pale face.

"Look Sammy, you are a beautiful and kind-hearted girl who loves to see the good in people and Rory is your sister so you'll want to stand up for her. But let's call a spade a spade. She doesn't deserve your sympathy in the slightest." Even her tone became softer.

"Mom…"

"Sammy, listen to your mother. She knows what's best for you." Her father, Mr Devane spoke.

"She didn't even come visit you after she pushed you down the stairs!" Mrs Devane scoffed.

"Pushed you? When did I ever push you?" A cold voice sounded from the door.

They all turned around and saw Rory. She looked different. They all stared at her with shock. Especially Sammy.

"You excuse of a girl! You still have the cheek to say you didn't push her. If you didn't then who did?" Mrs Devane was the first one to attack her.

She shrugged her shoulders and cooly replied. "I already said I didn't push her. Why don't you ask your precious daughter?" Rory said sarcastically.

Sammy's face turned paper white.

"Rory!" Mr and Mrs Devane both shouted her name. Mrs Devane was fuming with anger.

"Sshh! This is a hospital. If you shout they might kick you out". She reminded them casually.

"Oh my God! After all we have done for you. Do you still repay us like this? I mean what else did I expect from a classless illiterate like you?" Mr Devane said annoyed.

"And who is to blame for that?" She retorted. They were all startled. Rory had never talked back to them before!

"Besides Mr. Devane, you should take a good look in the mirror before pointing fingers at anyone". She added. Mr Devane was mad but he couldn't refute it.

"Rory, don't talk to Dad like that. He is only doing this because he is hurt by your actions". A clear soft voice sounded. If it were in the past, Rory would have fallen for this. Her sister was such a good actress. She deserved an award.

Rory laughed and said to Sammy. "Last time I checked, illegitimate children didn't have the right to speak. So who gave you the right to interfere in my matters?" Her tone was like the breeze but it carried a lot of weight.

Sammy immediately shut up. Her eyes were filled with viciousness. How dare she? She was a nobody and she dared to call her illegitimate? She was going to make her eat those words.

"Rory you ingrate! If you didn't come here to visit Sammy, then why are you here?" Mrs Devane's voice rang.

She was bored and had nothing to do and Daniel went to work. It was 2 pm. After they got married, she was introduced to the servants in the house. The servants immediately liked their new mistress.

"Oh I was bored and had nothing to do, so I said why not come to check up on my dear sister". She said casually.

She went over to Mrs Devane, who was standing beside Sammy's bed, and her voice low as she said, "You were surprised to see me alive, weren't you?"

Mrs Devane, Vivian, face didn't even flicker "I don't understand what you mean".

Rory rolled her eyes and said, "Don't act dumb. We both know what I mean. So drop the act. How would everyone react if they found out that underneath the mistress of the Devane house is actually a mistress and a desperate one at that?" Her lips curved upwards.

"No one will believe you over me!" She said with confidence.

"Are all second wives foolish?" She wondered. Vivian gritted her teeth. Her eyes became cold.

"It is true no one would believe me. But if I have evidence, someone would believe me, right?" Her question made Vivian's eyes go wide. She must be joking. There was no evidence, right? She replaced her fear with a smile.

"There is no evidence because I didn't do anything". She said proudly.

Rory smirked and said, "We'll see about that".

"What are you two whispering about?" Hector eyed them.

Rory chuckled and slung her arm around Vivian's shoulders. The action seemed intimate but Vivian stiffened.

"Nothing father. Just mother and daughter talk."

Vivian choked and Samantha scowled at Rory.

"Alright y'all, I'm off." She turned to Samantha and said, "get well soon, sister and please don't say because of me you couldn't feel better. Adios!" Before anyone could reply, she left the room.

What did she mean by that? Her words made Vivian feel something was wrong. Everything about her was different. It wasn't as simple as it looked.

The satisfaction she had was already top-notch. She got out of the hospital and saw a familiar Maybach car parked a few meters away from the hospital. Her black hair was blown by the breeze. This was her first time coming out. She inhaled the fresh air.

She walked to the car and got inside. Rory saw Daniel typing on his laptop. He looked busy.

However, he spoke to Rory without looking up. "The registration has been confirmed. You can start tomorrow".

Good, very good. She can start tomorrow. They deprived her of a life and now she has the opportunity to live freely, she definitely won't waste it. Starting tomorrow was just perfect for her.

However their actions towards her hurt like

hell. Normal parents would have cared about her whereabouts. Hector didn't even as much as ask about her well being. She looked out the window, her eyes watering yet she refused to cry. Why didn't her father care about her? Wasn't she worthy of love like Samantha?