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I served dinner,and only after they had stuffed themselves could I eat the leftovers.
Tom never let me eat with him,saying I was too low to share his table.
As I picked up chopsticks,he barked,“Mariam,walk Mary home.It’s dark,and if she trips,I’ll beat you senseless!”
I nodded meekly,smiling at Mary.“Let’s go,Mary.”
On the way,Mary,emboldened by Tom,tormented me.
“Mariam,carry me.My feet hurt!”
“Mariam,no man would glance at a barren thing like you!”
“Mariam,your rough skin’s scratching me.No one would take you even if you were given away for free!”
I played along,“You’re right,Mary.You’re such a catch.The other village wives may call you a shameless homewrecker, but I know it’s just because they’re jealous of your charm.You’re misunderstood!”
“You!”
Mary choked,silenced.
Back home,I overheard Tom on the phone with his sister.
“Sis,give me a bit more time.I’ll find the right moment to get rid of her!”
“Trust me.Once it’s done,I’ll come and join you!”
“Fine,alright.”
As he hung up,I walked in adn pretended to be concerned.“Honey,what’s wrong?”
Tom saw me and said,“My adopted sister’s birthday is coming up.Floods make it hard to travel,so you’ll go and deliver her gift.”
I immediately understood.Tom hadn’t managed to killed me yet,so Sophia Bradley,his sister,was getting impatient and planning to take matters into her own hands.
As long as I was alive,her fake claim to the heiress title was in jeopardy.
I knew it was a trap but saw a chance to infiltrate the Harpers,so I agreed.
The next morning,I took the“gift”Tom prepared and boarded a bus.
The bag was filled with chili peppers—a clear setup to embarrass me.
After a half-day ride,I stood before the Harper estate.
The opulent gardens and grand gates stoked my resentment.
This should have been my life.
At the entrance,two guards blocked me,eyeing my shabby clothes with disdain.
“Today’s Miss Harper’s birthday gala.No outsiders allowed.”
I explained politely,“Sir,I know it’s her birthday.I’m here on behalf of my husband to celebrate.”
They laughed,scorn dripping.“Just anyone thinks they can stroll in here. Look at you, you’re no better than a beggar. Get lost!”
Their words drew a crowd,who mocked me coldly.
I opened my mouth,but a bucket of foul-smelling water doused me head to toe.
“Oops,Mrs.Clark,look at that!How clumsy!”
