Chapter 9 - THE MOTHER-IN-LAW’S PLEA
Two days after the court hearing, I was staying at a beautiful private cottage on Victoria’s estate. The afternoon sun filtered through the trees as I sat on the porch, reading a book while the children played in the fenced yard with their new golden retriever puppy.
A black sedan pulled up to the gate.
Margaret Bennett stepped out.
For the first time since I had met her nine years ago, Margaret looked frail. Her polished demeanor was gone, replaced by anxious eyes and hands that clutched her handbag tightly.
She approached the porch slowly. "Claire?"
I didn't get up. I simply lowered my book. "Hello, Margaret."
"May I... may I sit down for a moment?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"You may," I said quietly.
Margaret sat on the edge of the wooden bench across from me. She looked out at Ethan and Sophie, who were laughing as the puppy chased a ball.
"Claire," Margaret began, tears welling in her eyes. "Ryan is in a terrible state. The board stripped him of his shares. The press is tearing him apart. The bank is threatening to foreclose on his personal properties... He’s staying in a hotel room, Claire. My son is sleeping in a hotel!"
I stared at her calmly. "Margaret, why are you here?"
"I came to ask you to stop this," she pleaded, leaning forward. "You've proven your point! You showed him you're strong! But he’s the father of your children. If you destroy him financially, what will be left for Ethan and Sophie?"
I let out a soft, bitter laugh.
"Where was this concern for Ethan and Sophie three weeks ago, Margaret?" I asked. "When Ryan brought Vanessa into our dining room? You sat right there. You didn't say a single word to stop him. You watched him humiliate me in front of your grandchildren and you passed the wine."
Margaret flushed with shame, looking away. "I... I thought you two would work it out..."
"No," I corrected her. "You thought I had no choice. You thought because I didn't have an income, I was obligated to tolerate your son's abuse and disrespect."
I stood up, holding my baby bump firmly.
May you like
"Ryan destroyed himself the moment he decided to betray his family and break the law. I am not destroying him, Margaret. I am simply letting him face the consequences of his own choices. Now, please leave my property."
Margaret opened her mouth to argue, but seeing the absolute steel in my eyes, she closed her purse, turned around, and walked back to her car with her head bowed in defeat.
