The moment I heard about my daughter’s plane crash, my entire family turned on me.
My husband, Robert, immediately brought his mistress, Serena, into our home.
He sneered at me, arrogant and defiant:
Serena and I have been separated for decades, but she was always meant to be my wife.
Vivian is dead, blown to smithereens, so your protection is gone. You’re no longer the high-and-mighty Mrs. Harper. From now on, you’ll learn to know your place!
My son, Brandon, smirked with pure malice:
“After years of being walked over by Vivian, I finally feel good. The Harper Group is mine now.”
“And you, old hag, stop throwing your weight around. Serve us well, and you might still get a mouthful of food in this house!”
My once-loving family instantly transformed into demons with twisted faces and cruel fangs.
They reunited in the villa my daughter bought for me, indulging in lavish spending with the money she gave me.
Meanwhile, I was forced into the doghouse, given scraps that even a dog wouldn’t touch.
But what they didn’t know was that Vivian had been delayed by a meeting.
She never even boarded that crashed plane…
It was early winter, and I was wearing only light clothes when my husband and son threw me out to the doghouse.
Watching Serena’s familiar put-on act, I couldn’t help but let out a self-deprecating laugh.
Years ago, Vivian had threatened Robert with his shares in the company to make him break up with Serena.
Turns out he only pretended to agree, still seeing her behind Vivian’s back all this time!
“Robert, how dare you lie to Vivian? Aren’t you afraid she’ll come back and take everything from you?!”
The group on the steps peered down at me.
A few seconds later, a harsh burst of laughter erupted.
“Vivian has been blown to smithereens. She’s still dreaming; it’s laughable.”
Brandon’s face was full of disgust:
“Mom, look at you, a senile old fool. Only Vivian ever treated you like a treasure, but now she’s dead, and your lifeline is gone. From now on, you’ll have to live off our scraps. Just thinking about it gives me a thrill!”
Robert wrapped an arm around Serena, patting Brandon’s shoulder with satisfaction:
“The entire Harper Group will be ours, mine and my son’s. Once we get Vivian’s inheritance from you, the Harper Group will become the Hayes Group. Then you can go join your dear daughter!”
Robert’s words sent a surge of excitement through them all.
I didn’t know if I was cold from the outside or if my heart was colder than ice.
I clenched my fists, trembling uncontrollably.
For so many years, their act had been so convincing.
Robert had always been attentive, thoughtful, and polite. When Vivian caught him cheating years ago, he knelt, begging for my forgiveness, vowing never to repeat his mistake.
He even accepted Vivian changing her surname to mine without a word of complaint.
Brandon was always dutiful, showing Vivian, his older sister, the utmost respect.
Now, the news of Vivian’s plane crash had barely reached us, and their true colors were completely revealed!
Robert scoffed, pointing at the doghouse. “You don’t deserve to live in such a nice villa anymore. You’ll stay in the doghouse. By day, you’ll be our maid; by night, our watchdog.”
I snapped, “You wouldn’t dare! Vivian bought this villa for me, and it’s in my name.”
I started to walk up, but Robert raised his hand and shoved me.
I tumbled down the steps, my old back injury flaring with excruciating pain.
Serena let out a delicate, mocking laugh, her eyes full of scorn.
“Eleanor, you’re too old for this. Don’t forget, tomorrow morning I want a custom-blended green tea smoothie. Make sure it’s ready.”
With that, she casually linked arms with Robert:
“It’s freezing, Robert, Brandon. Let’s go inside.”
The large door slammed shut in front of me.
I endured the sharp pain and crawled into the doghouse for warmth. My phone and bank cards weren’t with me.
Robert had bribed the house security guards at some point.
I couldn’t even get out of the yard.
This wasn’t the time for anger. They still didn’t know Vivian never boarded that plane.
I had to hold on until she returned!
Then we’d see if they could still wipe that smug grin off their faces.
The shivering night finally passed.
But I was woken by a basin of cold, greasy slop thrown on me!
“Still sleeping? Mr. Hayes and Master Brandon are already up. Go prepare breakfast immediately.”
I trembled, looking up. Mrs. Jenkins, the housekeeper, sneered. Seeing no reaction from me, she tried to kick me.
I grabbed her ankle. “I suggest you know your place.”
As soon as the news of the plane crash broke last night, everyone assumed Vivian’s chances of survival were practically zero.
Robert had incited the servants and security guards to obey him. Now, everyone dared to kick me while I was down!
The way self-interest turns people cold truly disheartens you.
Mrs. Jenkins scoffed, shaking her foot free.
“Still trying to pull the ‘lady of the house’ routine? Pfft! Our boss has changed. You’re no longer the esteemed Mrs. Harper. Mr. Hayes said you’re lower than us now in this house.”
“Get up and cook!”
I forced myself to crawl out of the doghouse, enduring my aching back and the cold.
Mrs. Jenkins impatiently pushed me.
As I entered the house, I saw Serena emerge, wearing my custom-made silk pajamas.
She wrinkled her nose, clutching it with her hand. “It stinks! How can anyone eat the breakfast she makes?”
Robert walked out of Vivian’s study, holding a gift box.
“Then she can go clean the toilets,” he said, waving to Serena. “Serena, here’s an emerald necklace. It’ll look beautiful on you.”
Serena swayed her hips over to him.
The two of them cozily draped the necklace around her neck, admiring it.
“That’s the birthday gift Vivian bought for me at auction for eighty million dollars! You can’t touch it!”
I tried to rush over but Mrs. Jenkins held me in a death grip.
She whispered in my ear, “Do you really think you’re worthy to compete with the new missus?”
Robert feigned innocence, “Vivian? Where’s Vivian? Eleanor, are you still clinging to that delusion? Your Vivian died long ago, didn’t even leave a handful of ashes.”
“Brandon is going to the company today to announce Vivian’s death. After her memorial and the will is settled, we’ll kick even you out!”
Both Robert and Brandon knew that Vivian’s inheritance would surely be left to me.
That’s why they hadn’t kicked me out yesterday.
But I wondered what expressions these heartless monsters would make if they saw Vivian walk back in, safe and sound.
Just then, Brandon came downstairs, talking on his phone:
“Yes, tell the reporters the news is accurate. The Harper Group will hold a memorial service. Mrs. Harper?”
Brandon glanced at me, then deliberately choked up.
“My mother is overwhelmed by the news and has fallen ill. Everything will be handled by my father and me.”
He and Robert exchanged glances, and Robert nodded in approval.
Then, Robert stormed towards me, his eyes hard.
“What are you doing?”
My heart lurched. I tried to dodge, but Mrs. Jenkins held me in a death grip.
Robert conjured a sickeningly sweet smile.
And then, he viciously kicked me in the stomach!
My sixty-year-old body crumpled to the ground, curling into a ball, sweat beading from the pain.
Robert bent down, looking at me like a dying ant:
“If you’re sick, you should act sick. That’s more convincing.”
“Lock her up. No need for a doctor. It’ll be perfect if she’s unable to speak at the memorial service.”
Two security guards dragged me to the storage room.
The door was locked from the outside, and there wasn’t even a window.
“Eleanor? Eleanor?”
A weak voice suddenly came from under the door.
I struggled to look, pressed against the floor.
But I only saw a pair of shoe soles.
“Eleanor, it’s Chloe. Are you okay? Can I help you with anything?”
I clutched the door, my heart pounding.
Chloe hadn’t been working for us long. Vivian had helped her after she experienced domestic abuse, and hired her as a cleaner.
I didn’t know if I could trust her, but I had to take the risk now!
“Chloe, sweetie, can you get my phone for me?”
I had to contact Vivian. I needed her to come back quickly.
“I’ll go right now,” Chloe’s footsteps quickly retreated.
I prayed silently in the darkness.
Time had never felt so long
Suddenly, a bag was slipped under the door.
It was my phone, along with two painkillers!
Good girl, Chloe! Vivian absolutely has to give you a raise when she gets back!
I huddled in the corner and pulled out my phone.
It hadn’t been charged for a day and a night, and the battery was only at three percent.
I quickly dialed Vivian’s number, but the call couldn’t connect.
Then I called Vivian’s assistant, Marcus. It rang!
Each buzz of the connection slammed against my heart.
Just then, the sound of a key turning in the lock echoed from outside the door!
Every hair on my body stood on end.
As the door opened, Serena walked in.
At the same moment, the assistant’s call connected.
“Eleanor? Are you looking for Vivian?”
“Quickly come back”
I saw Serena discover me.
I shouted desperately, but she snatched the phone away from me.
She intended to see who I was calling.
But the phone died right then.
She narrowed her eyes. “Eleanor, you truly are restless, aren’t you?”
I leaned against the wall:
“Serena, my daughter is coming back. When she does, you’ll be even more miserable than you were years ago.”
After all, back then, under Vivian’s threats, Robert had abandoned Serena on the spot.
Everyone who knew her knew she was a shameless and failed mistress.
She had lost all dignity, ostracized by everyone.
Perhaps she recalled her own humiliation from back then.
Serena gritted her teeth, crouched down, and grabbed my hair.
“Eleanor! Vivian is dead! Her personal effects have been sent back from the airport. There are even fragments of a gift she was bringing for you. Her body was vaporized! What do you have to be so arrogant about?”
I scoffed:
“Did I hit a nerve? Serena, you have a messed-up marriage and a daughter who barely acknowledges you, so you coveted my husband and resented me for having a wonderful daughter. You lost this game a long time ago.”
Serena’s mouth twitched involuntarily.
She raised her hand, poised to strike me.
I closed my eyes, only to hear a sharp ‘CRACK!’
But no sting on my cheek?
Opening my eyes, I saw she had slapped herself?
Tears welled in Serena’s eyes. “Eleanor, why would you do this to me?”
Almost simultaneously, Robert walked in through the doorway.
He saw her clutching her cheek, her voice thick with emotion.
He immediately helped her up.
“I just came to ask Eleanor if she wanted something to eat, but she called me delusional and hit me.”
“Robert, it hurts so much.”
Serena’s tears streamed down her face.
Robert’s eyes instantly blazed with fury.
His eyes wide with rage, he roared at me:
“You wretched woman! Someone, throw her into the basement!”
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