LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 19: A family feud
Chapter 19: A Family Feud and a Shocking Revelation
The afternoon progressed, the air in the mansion thick with a mixture of forced cordiality and simmering undercurrents. Lila felt increasingly uncomfortable, every subtle glance, every whispered comment, a reminder of the judgment she was facing.
After a lavish afternoon tea, Lila and Eleanor found themselves unexpectedly alone in the kitchen, where the staff were preparing for the evening's festivities.
Eleanor, her face a mask of strained politeness, offered Lila a cup of tea. "Would you like some tea, Lila? I believe this is Darjeeling, a personal favorite of my grandmother's."
Lila, feeling a sense of unease, accepted the tea. As she reached for a delicate porcelain cup, her hand brushed against Eleanor's, sending a tray of pastries tumbling to the floor.
The clatter of porcelain against the marble floor echoed through the kitchen. Eleanor's son, a toddler with bright blue eyes, who had been playing nearby, let out a startled cry and began to wail.
Eleanor's face contorted with fury. "Look what you've done!" she shrieked, pointing an accusing finger at Lila. "You've scared my son!"
Lila, her heart pounding, apologized profusely. "I'm so sorry, Eleanor. I didn't mean to…"
Before Lila could finish her apology, Eleanor slapped her across the face. The force of the blow sent Lila reeling.
"You clumsy oaf!" Eleanor hissed. "You're so careless! You've probably scared my son for life!"
Lila, stunned by the sudden assault, retaliated instinctively, slapping Eleanor back.
A chaotic scene ensued. The toddler continued to wail, while Eleanor, her face contorted with rage, screamed for help.
The sound of the commotion drew the attention of the other guests. Alexander, his parents, James, and their parents rushed into the kitchen, their faces a mixture of shock and horror.
"What in God's name is going on here?" Alexander demanded, his voice thunderous.
Eleanor, her face flushed and her eyes filled with tears, pointed an accusing finger at Lila. "She… she hurt my son! She's a monster!"
Lila, her hand still stinging from the slap, tried to explain. "It was an accident, Eleanor. I'm so sorry…"
But her words were drowned out by Eleanor's sobs and James's angry protests.
"How could you be so careless?" James's mother, a formidable woman with a sharp tongue, shrieked. "You've ruined Grandma's birthday! You've probably scared my son for life!"
Alexander's mother, her face pale with shock, stepped forward. "Lila, what have you done?" she gasped.
Lila, feeling overwhelmed and humiliated, could only shake her head, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I… I didn't mean to," she stammered, her voice trembling. "It was an accident."
But her words fell on deaf ears. James's mother, a formidable woman with a sharp tongue, launched into a tirade, accusing Lila of being a careless and irresponsible guest.
"You should be ashamed of yourself!" she shrieked. "You're a danger to children! You've probably tried to hurt my grandson because he's the first great-grandchild!"
Alexander's mother, her face pale with shock, stepped forward. "Really!" she roared, her voice echoing through the kitchen. "This is my son wife you're talking about! How dare you accuse her of such a thing?"
A heated argument erupted between Alexander's mother and James mom. Insults flew, accusations were hurled, and the once elegant kitchen descended into chaos.
Alexander, his face a mask of fury, stepped forward. "That's enough!" he roared, his voice echoing through the kitchen. "You're all behaving like savages! This is my wife, and I will not tolerate this disrespect!"
He turned to Lila, his eyes filled with concern. "Come on, let's get out of here," he said, his voice low and intense. "We don't belong here."
He grabbed Lila's hand and pulled her out of the kitchen, ignoring the angry protests and the disapproving stares. He led her out of the mansion, his footsteps echoing through the silent corridors.
Once they were outside, he turned to Lila, his face etched with fury. "I'm so sorry, Lila," he said, his voice trembling with anger. "I should have stopped them. I should have protected you."
Lila, her eyes filled with tears, clung to him, her body trembling. "It's not your fault," she whispered, her voice trembling. "It's just… it's just so humiliating."
Alexander pulled her close, his arms encircling her protectively. "Don't listen to them," he murmured. "They don't know you. They don't know how kind and loving you are."
He pulled out a small velvet box from his pocket. "This is for you," he said, his voice softening. "I bought it earlier today."
Lila opened the box, her eyes widening in surprise. Inside lay a stunning diamond necklace, the diamonds sparkling like a thousand stars.
"It's beautiful," she whispered, her voice trembling.
"It's for you," he said, his eyes filled with love. "To remind you how much I love you."
He placed the necklace around her neck, his fingers lingering on her skin. "Let's leave," he said, his voice firm. "We don't belong here."
He hailed a car and they drove away from the mansion, leaving the chaos and the bitterness behin
d them. As they drove, Lila leaned against Alexander, her eyes closed, the warmth of his embrace a comforting shield against the storm she had just weathered.