PURSUING THEM

The acrid smell of paint lingered in the air, a pungent reminder of the fresh coat I'd applied to my walls. The soothing green hue, a symbol of prosperity and peace, now enveloped my entire space, bringing a sense of calm to my frazzled nerves. I'd recently changed my furniture, and the new setup seemed adorable at first, but now it just felt like a fresh start, a chance to leave the past behind. "DONE!!" I exclaimed, letting out a heavy sigh of exhaustion as I stepped back to admire my handiwork.

As I took a moment to appreciate the ambiance, I felt my sanity slowly returning. The room was peaceful, a sanctuary from the chaos that lurked outside. Just then, my maid, Ms. Nadera, called out, "Dinner is ready!" I paused, my mind shifting gears. I hesitated for a moment, dreading the family dinner ahead. My biggest enemy, my own family, would be gathering around the table, and I wasn't looking forward to it.

"I-I'm coming!!" I replied, trying to sound enthusiastic. But as I walked into the dining room, my sister's mocking gaze met mine. I forced a smile, determined not to let her get under my skin. My plan was to bide my time, gather evidence against my husband, and bring him to justice for what he'd done to our family. Every step I took felt like a weight was holding me back, but I refused to let it break me.

"Oh, my sister's finally joining us," Malevola Kali Lancaster sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I thought you'd stand us up, like you always do." I glanced at our parents, who looked equally perplexed. My father, usually calm and collected, raised his voice, "Malevola Kali Lancaster, what's on you right now? We're here to give peace to each other!"

I smiled inwardly, enjoying the rare sight of my sister being scolded. But Kali quickly regained her composure, her eyes flashing with malice. "I think I wasn't welcome in here? It turns out your favor was broken by your own real daughter," I taunted, my words aimed at her.

I met her gaze calmly, my expression firm. "Don't judge me, I'm hungry too," I said, taking a seat in front of her. The silence that followed was oppressive, but I was determined not to break it. I waited for someone else to speak up.

Finally, I broke the silence, my voice light and casual. "So, Dad, tomorrow can I accompany you all to church? And then let's head to our business so I can learn some about how the progress is doing?" My sister snorted, "When did you get so religious? And what's with the business? You know nothing about it."

I gave her a cold stare, my eyes narrowing slightly. "I didn't say I KNEW ANYTHING about business, Kali. I said I WANTED TO LEARN. There's a difference." My sister's face reddened, and she stormed out of the room, leaving behind a tense silence.

My father cleared his throat, "Okay, dear, you can come to church with us tomorrow. And we'll arrange for someone to give you a tour of the business." I smiled, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "And?" I prompted, raising an eyebrow.

My father chuckled, "Okay, okay, we'll make sure you're ready for your tutorial." I tilted my head, my smile growing wider. "I look forward to it."

As I excused myself from the table, I felt a sense of determination wash over me. Tomorrow would be a new day, a chance to take another step toward my goal. And for now, I'd enjoy the peace and quiet of my room, savoring the sense of calm that came with knowing I was one step closer to justice.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***