vent when her phone rang Friday morning. M

was ice cold. "Family dinner t

inner?" E

isiting from Celestria. They w

ank. "Victoria

lly family now." Mrs. Kaelthorn paused. "You will

one we

dinner would be torture. Jack's family had never liked h

he house was huge and cold, just like Mrs. Kaelthorn herself. E

back entrance. "Mrs. Kaelthorn wants

ng an expensive meal. Lobster, imported wine, gol

t," the chef told Elena.

ve Jack's family like a maid while Vi

ed Elena a black uniform dre

the dress servants wore. Simple, black,

ed through the kitchen door and saw Jack's family arriving. His t

king very handsome. And beside him was V

d over to hug Victoria. "You look absolutely be

ia," Victoria said swee

lling Jack's aunt by a family

?" Uncle Reginald asked l

rs. Kaelthorn said dismissively.

me. Mrs. Kaelthorn made it sound

d. "It's time she learned

ying a tray of appetizers. The moment she appeared, the conversa

with fake surprise. "Elena

tray quietly. "Good

ald said coldly. "Don't you

as being treated like hired help

. "And be careful not to spill any. This bottl

he got to Victoria, Victoria smiled sweetly and sai

condescending. Like Elena was a ch

e the family ate and talked. She was not

your time in Lysandria,

arned so much about international business. I speak fl

. "Jack, you must be proud to have su

as talking about Victoria lik

business partner," Jack announced. "She'll be h

nally, Jack has someone who can actually help h

ped. Everyone was looking at he

petizer plates," Mrs

dishes. She had to lean over everyone, feeling

n Elena reached for her plate. "These dishes

ike Elena was clumsy and could

reful," Ele

eginald said sternly. "Some

ictoria like she was perfect. They discussed her educat

t Cordelia said meaningfully. "The Ravencrest and

's family was talking about Victoria havin

ncle Reginald agreed. "A man nee

tarting but tried

t children?" Aunt Cor

smile. "I love children. I can't wai

she said this. Jack sm

Reginald asked suddenly. "Sti

eryone stared at Elena,

trying," Elen

aughed. "After three years? May

o be mothers," Uncle Reginald s

away, but she had to

lthorn said, "comes from a very fertile

ow wonderful! Victoria, you'll p

sweetly. "I dream of havin

n course when Victoria su

said with fake concern. "Are you f

re at Elena. Her hands were indeed

," Elena

a continued. "Oh wait, there's no extra chair. We

ruel and humiliating th

rs. Kaelthorn said coldly. "Sh

inst the wall and watch Jack's family treat Victoria like a be

unt Cordelia made

know that you're welcome in this family anytime. You'r

said, tears of joy in her eyes

. Jack's family was officially accep

now," Mrs. Kaelthorn ordered. "We w

ervant so the family could have in

the dining room. Jack's family was having the best time with Victor

a plate when Jack wa

ldly. "My family wa

ropped. This co

dining room. Everyone was star

g to a small stool in the corner. Not a rea

stool, feeling ti

began, "we've been dis

ituat

ree years of marriage and you've given Jack nothing. No c

coming but trie

roven herself valuable. She's helping Jack's business, fitting

" Aunt Cordelia said directly. "For Ja

ould defend her. But Jack just st

horn added. "He deserves a real wife

king me to do?"

ly and without drama. Let him marry Victoria and l

ning. Jack's entire family was te

u're still young. You can start over somewhere else. But Jack can't

y face was cold and determined. Eve

to think," El

thorn said firmly. "One week to make your decisi

e servant's stool and

"Don't forget your uniform. You'll n

wearing the servant's dress. The

k uniform, crying so hard sh