Chapter 11
Emma responded with a flurry of words after Soraya’s single remark. Soraya’s face alternated between blue and red as she struggled to contain her anger, her teeth grinding furiously. She shouted, “Emma, I’ve always known you were tough, but I never realized you were this tough! I distinctly remember someone shamelessly pursuing my brother for years, like a devoted shadow. So what is it now? Now that you’ve entered our Taylor family, you can just ignore me, your sister–in–law?“>
Emma casually rubbed her ear, laughing lightly as she replied, “I can hear you just fine, no need to raise your voice. Besides, I doubt a family that prides itself on good manners, like the esteemed Taylor family, tolerates such shouting, do they?“”
“You! Soraya’s face burned with rage, her body rigid with tension as she pointed at Emma, struggling to articulate her feelings.
With the truth out in the open, Emma decided it was time to set the record straight and prevent Soraya from attacking her every time they crossed paths. “You got one thing right. I did pursue your brother, and yes, I chased after him. But as you’ve pointed out, that was in the past. Do you consider me your elder sister–in–law? I don’t think so. So if you don’t see me as such, what gives you the right to question whether I recognize you as my sister–in–law?“>
“That’s enough!” Luc interjected, his lips pressed tightly together, his expression icy.
Soraya was taken aback; she hadn’t expected the usually compliant Emma to confront her. Her words felt like they had hit a wall, bouncing back and intensifying her anger. Stepping closer to Emma, she continued her tirade, “What do you mean by that?“Я
Turning to Luc, she shouted, “Luc, are you just going to stand there? What does Emma mean?“}}
Raising her voice, Soraya complained, “Mom, Grandma, look at her! Does she even look like a daughter–in–law of the Taylor family to you?”
Luc’s face tightened with tension, his lips forming a hard line. Cold fury swirled in his eyes, threatening to consume Soraya. “Emma, she is my sister. You need to know your place!”
Jane walked over silently, lifted her hand, and slapped Emma. “So my daughter can be bullied by you? The Taylor family does not welcome you!“?
“Mom,” Luc gasped, shocked to see his mother openly slap Emma. He knew Jane was fiercely protective, especially when it came to Soraya.
Luc stepped in front of Emma, shielding her. He didn’t notice the tears welling in Emma’s eyes behind him, her fists clenched as she vowed to herself, this is the last time! “So, you can stand by and watch your sister being bullied by outsiders?”
Luc rubbed his temples. “Mom, no matter what, you can’t resort to violence.“”
“You won’t support her? Shouldn’t I, her mother–in–law, stand up for her?” Jane’s eyes hardened as she glared at Emma, who Luc was protecting.”
“Enough! Isn’t there enough drama already?” Mrs. Taylor stood up, her voice commanding. “Soraya, apologize to your sister–in–law!”
Soraya looked incredulous. “What? Grandma, did you misspeak? Shouldn’t Emma be the one apologizing to me? What gives the daughter of a tailor the right to claim that title?”
“I’m telling you to apologize! Are you going to ignore me?” Mrs. Taylor’s presence was formidable, her cloudy gaze fixed on Soraya.
Soraya stamped her foot, pleading with Jane for support. Jane, siding with the elder Mrs. Taylor, added, “Mom, please calm down. Soraya was wrong, but Emma is more at fault. If it weren’t for her provoking Soraya, this wouldn’t have happened…“”
“Mrs. Taylor, are you saying that I should just let your precious daughter walk all over me without reacting? If I stand up for myself, does that make me the one at fault? Am I the instigator?” Emma’s icy glare silenced Jane.
“The daughter of a tailor? What of it? Are we supposed to live off the Taylor family’s leftovers?”
Jane’s eyes narrowed, her voice sharp. “Emma! How dare you look at me like that? Do you even see me as your mother?“>
Turning to Mrs. Taylor, Emma said, “Didn’t you hear me call you Mrs. Taylor? When have you ever seen me as your daughter–in–law?”
“Emma!” Luc’s voice was low and threatening, his eyes darkening with anger.”
Emma forced a smile, her expression cold and detached, which only fueled Luc’s frustration.
“Emma, are you out of your mind? So what if your dad is just a tailor? Isn’t he still a tailor?” Soraya’s mocking laughter broke through the tension.
Emma’s eyes sharpened, her gaze locking onto Soraya. “What does it matter to you that my father is a tailor? Who are you to look down on anyone? Every piece of clothing you wear has been crafted by a tailor. Tailoring is an art, a skill. We earn our living honestly, without stealing or cheating. You’re nothing but a superficial showpiece!” A smirk crossed Emma’s lips as she met Soraya’s gaze, clearly unimpressed.
Soraya’s anger made her breath quicken. Her eyes narrowed, and she stomped her foot, calling out to Luc for help. She was convinced that Emma was infatuated with her brother; one word from him, and she would apologize.
“Luc, is this the woman you’ve brought into our family? My beloved daughter–in–law? How wonderful she is! I opposed this from the beginning, Lindsey Beth…” “Mother!” Luc interrupted, cutting her off.”
Lindsey? From Boston? The name sparked a memory. The engraving on Luc’s tie pin read “L&L,” which he wore daily. Once, he scolded her when she accidentally dropped it, leading to a cold war that lasted days. He would come home late, his demeanor frigid, and she would always approach him first to apologize.
Could it be true? Lindsey & Luc (L&L). She glanced at Luc’s golden tie pin, realizing its significance. A pendant close to one’s heart symbolized affection, and a tie pin represented an unbreakable bond. A chill crept up Emma’s spine, her knees buckling as she staggered back, overwhelmed by the realization.
“Divorce! I want you to divorce her!” Jane shouted, her face pale with rage.
Emma gripped the back of the couch, her body trembling. To Soraya, Jane, and the elder Mrs. Taylor, it seemed as if she had collapsed in shock at the mention of ‘divorce% Divorce… Wasn’t this supposed to happen in two months? Had her decision to stand up for herself changed everything so quickly?
Soraya shot Emma a triumphant look, eager to see her rattled. A woman so in love with my brother couldn’t possibly agree to a divorce, could she? Soraya was ready to relish Emma’s apology, expecting her to plead for forgiveness and to convince her brother and mother to drop the divorce. But Emma stood tall, a confident smile on her face, Soraya thought, now she knows to fear me! I’m not so easily bullied after all.
But to Soraya’s dismay, Emma still defied her expectations.
