My absolute compliance left Evelyn frustrated; the schemes she had prepared to humiliate me were useless against a wall of submission.
Unwilling to let the moment pass, she suddenly burst into tears.
"Evelyn, honey, why are you crying?" My mother-in-law was instantly frantic. "Did that *wench* Daniela give you a dirty look?" A venomous glare shot in my direction.
Years ago, before my family fell, she had treated me like her own daughter.
Now I was just a *wench* in her mouth.
"No," Evelyn sobbed, gasping for air. "It's... it's my mother. She scolded me today."
"Tell us, why would she scold you?" My father-in-law leaned forward, brow furrowed with concern.
"My parents think I'm an embarrassment." She choked on the words. "They said I have no status, no title. They said I'm no different from a *mistress*, and because of me, they can't show their faces in public!"
"Don't cry, Evelyn. I'll handle this!" My mother-in-law's finger trembled as she pointed it at me. "You. Divorce Lucas immediately! Agree quietly, and we might let you stay in the servant's quarters. Refuse—" Her eyes narrowed. "—and you're out of the Dickerson family tonight."