âShall we head home?â Derrick approached me at the empty reception area.
With weary steps, I followed Derrick to our car, suppressing my emotions, knowing they would crumble when the time came.
On the way home, Derrick seemed happy, smiling to himself as if infatuated. However, to me, he seemed more like a madman.
As Derrick drove and savored his moment, I discreetly texted Carrie, my assistant, whom Derrick did not know about.
Carrie managed all my business affairs, including the property business I had been quietly running. Advanced technology and communication tools were invaluable in overseeing this venture from home, particularly when Derrick was at the office, and I was taking care of household chores.
The car pulled into the driveway, stopping in front of my mother-in-lawâs house. Yes, ever since we got married, we had been living with my mother-in-law, Ruth. Derrick always claimed his savings werenât sufficient whenever I broached the topic of buying a house.
âSarah, where have you been? Iâve been looking for you everywhere. Gillian has been asking about you too,â Ruth greeted as she stood at the door upon our arrival.
âSorry, Mom. Derrick suddenly wanted to go to the office. I was going to tell you, but you were sleeping.â
âHuh, you always come up with excuses. Look at this messy house! No one has cleaned up yet.â
âSorry, Mom.â
I started tidying up the house, first with the kitchen. It was strange, as everything was tidy and clean before I left. Why were there so many dirty dishes and glasses piled up? Only I, Derrick, Ruth, and Gillian were in this house.
âMom, did we have guests earlier? Why are there so many dirty dishes and glasses?â I inquired.
âLorraine came here with her kids. She just got a job and didnât have time to cook. They ate here earlier.â She replied.
Feeling disheartened, I checked the dining room and found that all the food I had prepared was gone, though Derrick and I hadnât eaten anything.
âMom, why didnât Lorraine just buy food if she didnât have time to cook? She didnât wash the dishes after eating either,â I said, annoyed.
âDonât be so calculative! Remember, youâre just a daughter-in-law whoâs freeloading. Derrick is the one earning money here and he doesnât mind.â Ruth replied in her usual high-pitched voice whenever she talked to me.
âItâs fine, Sarah. Let Lorraine and her kids eat here once in a while.â Derrick intervened.
Arguing with them was pointless. Hopefully, Derrickâs elder sister Lorraine and the kids wouldnât eat here again tomorrow. After all, she only lived a few blocks away from our house.
âNow, please cook. Iâm hungry,â Ruth demanded.
âIâm tired, Mom. The house is still a mess. Letâs just order food online.â
âHoney, letâs not spend too much money. I think you better cook.â Derrick half-shouted from our bedroom.
âHuh!â I sighed heavily.
So be it. Now I was being ordered around by this ungrateful family. But someday, they would be shocked by my real identity.
Night had fallen. Weariness greeted me. As usual, I accompanied Gillian to sleep in her room. While reading emails from Bradley and Carrie, I continued checking my bank account balance. I smiled in satisfaction when I saw the great figures from selling several apartment units this week.
Tonight, I decided to sleep in Gillianâs room. Derrick could sleep alone. Honestly, I was still very disappointed with his behavior at the office this evening.
Kendall that homewrecker had better get ready for my revenge.