Chapter 3 Mother-in-law

"The woman Sir Darson brought to the mansion is beautiful and kind. I really admire her! Madam Celeste, on the other hand, even after five years in the mansion, is still difficult to approach. She always wants to be greeted and respected. But with Madam Chiarra, we became close right away!"   "Be careful with what you say, Tami. They might think you're taking the mistress's side. Even if Madam Chiarra is kind, we shouldn't support what's wrong."   "Hmp! Why not? I feel like Sir Darson is going to leave Madam Celeste sooner than later. He's not happy with her anymore. But if you look at him now, his happiness has returned with Madam Chiarra! I guess that's just how it is. When a woman lacks something, the man will look for another woman to fill that void."   "For me, Madam Celeste doesn't lack anything. It's just that she can't give birth to a child for Sir Darson. What kind of wife would deny her husband the chance to have a child, right? Honestly, in this day and age, they can use technology to have a biological child. It's just... cheaters are cheaters, and Sir Darson chose to betray Madam Celeste."   "Oh, I don't know! I still find Madam Chiarra kind. Let's go and prepare the food! Madam Priscilla is already downstairs."   As Celeste listened to the conversation between the two maids, the deep wound in her heart from two weeks ago still throbbed.   She never expected that within those two weeks, there would already be maids siding with Chiarra, the mistress. She had heard more than one maid praise Chiarra, and it only weakened her spirit.   She mustered the courage to get up now, fix herself, and leave her room because there was news in the mansion that her mother-in-law, Priscilla, was arriving.   Perhaps the old woman had heard about the explosive situation that had happened in her and Darson's mansion.   She just hoped her mother-in-law would take her side. After all, Chiarra is just a mistress who doesn't belong to any influential family, but a prostitute at that.   She knew the Allegra family was very strict about these things. So she still hoped that Priscilla would drive away Darson's mistress.   "What kind of drama are you causing again, Celeste?" Priscilla, Celeste's mother-in-law, asked angrily as soon as she saw her. "You know you're infertile, so you should have prepared yourself for what might happen. Shouldn't we have grandchildren because of you? We only have one child, and there's no other bloodline to continue in our next generation!"   "Aunt, I understand you." Celeste tried her best to remain composed and smiled in front of her mother-in-law. "Please don't worry about this matter because I've accepted it, and I won't sulk in my room anymore."   The redness and swelling of Celeste's eyes were still evident. She knew Priscilla was still very angry with her, especially in the past two years. And she quickly sensed the sharp comeback, so she didn't argue or explain further.   "Fix yourself, Celeste, because our family has suffered greatly since we accepted your family into this marriage. Not only did it bring no good to the company, but even in terms of your womb, it's a failure! What kind of disgrace have we encountered!"   "I-I apologize..." She instinctively held her stomach.   "It doesn't matter! The Allegras saved the company, and Darson will finally have a child. In some way, we're still blessed from above. So, can you do us a favor and take care of Chiarra while she's pregnant!? I don't want to hear that you're like a drama queen, crying and locking yourself in your room!"   She froze. She swallowed hard and bowed her head. "Yes, aunt. I will take care of her while she's here in the mansion."   "Good. I expect you not to be cruel to Chiarra or think of doing something bad to her. Because I'm telling you, if anything undesirable happens to that woman and her unborn child, I won't hesitate to kick you out of this mansion!"   "I-I understand, aunt."   She breathed a sigh of relief as Priscilla left the terrace where they had spoken. She weakly sat on the nearby chair, staring blankly into space.   On the other hand, Anna entered the terrace upon seeing Priscilla's departing figure.   "Madam, based on the information I gathered, it's your mother-in-law who pushed Sir Darson to have an affair. She's also been involved with the place where Chiarra came from outside."   Celeste let out a lifeless laugh. She had hoped, even in the slightest bit, that Priscilla wouldn't accept the woman Darson brought into the Allegra mansion. She thought Priscilla wouldn't accept someone without status and a name like Chiarra. She didn't come from an influential family, nor was she even a distant relative or an illegitimate child.   That crushed Celeste's heart even more. To know that her husband replaced her with someone so different. It felt like her entire being had been trampled on. The world seemed to have turned against her.   She didn't want to belittle anyone, but the truth was she couldn't match Chiarra.   Who she was now was a result of her efforts to embody the etiquette and manners that women should have. Studying diligently, knowing about household affairs, and even the basics of business to help her husband.   She learned how to converse with various accomplished women in the upper class. She maintained her dignity and grace inside and outside the mansion.   What was all that for? If now she was defeated by a woman who could only offer her own womb.   This was the kind of defeat that was hard to accept. But she needed to swallow it all, maintain her humility, and... take care of her husband's mistress.   "Sister!" Chiarra peeked in from outside the terrace with a lively appearance. "It's time to eat, sister. Shall we go down together?"   Celeste tensed at Chiarra's sight. She bit her tongue to restrain herself from lashing out.   How could she act like nothing happened? After what she did when they first met?   Chiarra had a big smile as she walked towards Celeste and took her hand. "Daddy cooked a special dish for us! What was it called again? Ah! Lobster terminor. I think that's it."   Celeste froze in her spot. "Lobster Thermidor?" That was her favorite dish that Darson exclusively cooked for her.   Darson wasn't fond of cooking, but whenever he did, it was always Lobster Thermidor, and it was only for her! It was her favorite because of its unique deliciousness.   "Ah! Yes, that lobster something. Anyway! Daddy said he cooked it for me. So I'm excited, sister! Let's share so you can taste it too."   "Ha..." a very bitter laugh escaped Celeste's lips. Tears welled up in her eyes, which she quickly held back. That's how deeply her pain was buried in her palm.