Chapter 9
Chapter 9: The Servant’s Dilemma
After a warm chat of nearly half an hour, Emma finally arrived at the Taylor family residence. As she stepped out of the car holding a thermal box, Karen opened the door for her. She gave Emma a quick once–over, her gaze carrying a subtle hint of disdain. “Emma, why are you only just getting here? Mr Luc has been waiting for almost an hour.“” The resentment was clear in her voice. “Let me take that,” she said, not considering whether Emma was willing, and took the thermal box, heading briskly inside. “Thank you, Karen.” Emma followed behind, entering the old house.
The two gardeners working outside took a discreet glance at Emma. They seemed unimpressed, thinking, so the newlyweds, not even a year into their marriage, were distancing themselves like this? Oddly enough, they both visited the old house on the same day. However, they arrived at different times, as if they were walking different paths. Could they be considering separation?”
In the past, when Emma encountered such glances, she would feel a bit awkward, with a touch of constraint on her face, and a hint of sadness in her heart. However, now she let them have a good look, feeding their gossiping curiosity.
As she entered the old house, she saw the grandmother and grandson sitting on the couch, watching TV and enjoying a good laugh. The old lady’s gleeful laughter created a harmonious picture. She paused and called out, “Grandma.”
“Emma, you’re here! Thank you for your hard work.”
It was obvious the grandmother was pleased with the results of Luc’s recent treatment, but her demeanor wasn’t particularly warm. She appeared affectionate, yet her eyes revealed a certain distance and politeness. The past version of herself hadn’t noticed this. It took a life–altering experience for her to see just how aloof her grandmother–in- law was.3
Mrs. Taylor merely glanced at Emma, not inviting her to join them. She stood like an unnecessary addition, sidelined and discarded. When she was needed, they would call on her. When she wasn’t… well, she better not be in the way.”
In her previous life, she thought even if her mother–in–law and sister–in–law didn’t like her, at least Mrs. Taylor truly cared about her. Each time she visited the old house, she’d act obediently and play the part of a good daughter–in–law, doing little favors for the old lady.
Today, however, Emma just smiled and remained silent. She walked silently to the couch across the room, sat down, and took out her phone from her purse. She began to scroll through Messenger, checking her friends‘ updates.
Luc seemed to have noticed her unusual behavior. He gave her a sidelong glance.
Just as Emma sat down, a voice called out, “Karen, ask Emma to go to the kitchen and see what delicious food she prepared for Luc today.”
“Uh, Grandma, I’m arranging it right now,” Karen replied, frowning at Emma. When had she moved to sit over there? Doesn’t she see what’s going on? Can’t she see that I’m running around in the kitchen? Linda took a leave today, and she was the only one in the kitchen, too busy to handle everything. Usually, as soon as Emma arrived, she’d take over the kitchen. But today, why does she have the leisure to play with her phone?
Ignoring Karen’s reproachful gaze, Emma glanced at the two seated in the armchair and said with a light smile, “Grandma, I’ve been feeling under the weather these past few days, so why don’t you let Karen cook for him?“>
Mrs. Taylor seemed a little surprised, unable to believe it. “Emma, you’re a doctor; you should know how to take care of yourself when you’re not feeling well. Drinking some herbal coffee should help.“0
Who else but Emma, who had faced life and death, could understand this statement?>
In her previous life, she had wanted to act a little petulant to win some care and attention from Luc when she saw him being cold to her. Making up excuses like not feeling well, but that’s exactly how Mrs. Taylor responded to her; even her words were the same. The undertone was, don’t be so overly dramatic. If it wasn’t for Luc being unable to get used to Karen’s cooking, why would she need her to cook?
And what happened today? Usually, she wouldn’t need to be told; she would take the initiative to go to the kitchen and cook a few dishes for Luc herself. Did something happen between the young couple?
“Women naturally have a few days when they don’t feel well, and it’s not something that can be easily fixed by taking some medicine or drinking herbal coffee,” Emma said indifferently, showing no signs of getting up to go to the kitchen.
Mrs. Taylor looked at her steadily, her eyes filled with a hint of displeasure. Then she looked at Luc to gauge his attitude.
Luc frowned slightly. It was true that women should take care during their periods, but the kitchen did have hot water.
Oh, she’s acting high and mighty now, is she? Karen went back to work shortly after giving birth; doesn’t she know how silly her daintiness appears?}
Karen came over with a long face, speaking in a falsely cheerful voice, “Emma, at my age, I too would sometimes fall ill. Regular exercise not only strengthens the body but also improves overall health. I went back to work shortly after giving birth. We weren’t so meticulous back then. Women who are too picky make themselves prone to
illness.“0
Her words were filled with underlying meanings, covertly ridiculing her for flaunting her wealth and being overly dramatic.
How could Emma not understand? With a feigned smile, she glanced at the grandmother and grandson in front of her, noticing that they didn’t seem to find Karen’s words inappropriate.
Her eyes gradually turned icy; she gave a cold chuckle in her heart and said nonchalantly to Karen,” Karen, aren’t you aware that women from your generation worked incredibly hard?@
So, it’s not surprising that you were raised to be the backbone of the family, capable of handling everything. However, times have changed; it’s been decades since those days, and it’s no longer an era where women are expected to be subservient. My parents raised me to be an independent woman, not to serve others like a maid. Otherwise, they might have been disappointed. After years of education, it would be ridiculous if I ended up being no better than those who still cling to outdated norms.“@
Karen originally wanted to critique Emma but found herself being ridiculed instead. In her day, her parents indeed treated her like a laborer. She needed to work hard daily, or else there would be no food to eat. The same was true after marrying into her husband’s family.”
This could be pitied, but she shouldn’t take it as a model worth emulating, as a glorious history to praise and use it to subtly mock Emma for being so delicate.
Emma, of course, should not have concerned herself with her, but if she did not react, Karen would keep on making snide remarks, not thinking it offensive at all
16:29
So, by her words, Emma clarified that she was the cherished daughter of her parents, not a maid for the Taylor family. She emphasized how times were different and that she was no longer the Emma of the past, who was used as a doormat. Did they think they could order her around? In their dreams!
Upon hearing this, Luc was surprised; he couldn’t believe how Emma could infuriate someone without facing consequences.
Seeing his grandmother’s upset expression, he restrained his emotions, switching to a serious and cold demeanor.
Karen felt choked, her face turning a pale green. She looked flustered and gnashed her teeth, “Today, Linda is on leave, so I’m the only one. I’m afraid I won’t be able to cope.”
“Oh, it’s unfortunate that Linda is on leave. Why don’t I call Mayline from the neighborhood to come and help?” Did they give her the day off because they wanted me to help in
the kitchen? I may have let things slide in the past, but that doesn’t mean I’m naive.
“Enough is enough, don’t make a fuss about it, Karen. Just prepare a few dishes that Luc loves, and I’ll be fine with anything else.”
