Chapter 5: Soon She Won't Be

Anna wiped away another tear. "My sister won't eat food made by the maid. She says she can't stomach it and will only eat what I cook. What can I say? To get a meal at home, I just have to do what they ask."

Anna had always thought that Thea was so picky because of the delicious meals she cooked. Every time they had a meal, Thea would praise her cooking, saying she loved the dishes Anna made the most. Amidst the constant praises, she lost her head.

But now, she didn't think so anymore. Thea was doing it on purpose, treating her like a servant, and who knew what she was mocking her for behind her back.

Watching Anna's hurried departure, the several neighbor women couldn't help but sigh, "It's true what they say. You can't judge a book by its cover. Who would have thought that the biological daughter of the Hayes family would live a life even worse than a servant's? What a sin!"

Although they couldn't quite understand the actions of the Hayes family, they grasped the main point. All of Anna's misfortunes were caused by Thea.

Thea seemed so polite and sensible usually. Who would have thought she was so wicked behind the scenes? Indeed, appearances were deceiving!

The Hayes family's yard was vast, filled with various flowers and plants, including several laurel trees. From afar, the fragrance of the flowers was so refreshing that it delighted the senses.

As Anna entered the living room, the family was gathered around looking at presents, laughing and talking. A picture of perfect harmony, making it hard for anyone to disturb this joy.

Anna intended to bypass the living room to go to her room, but Thea, who had sharp eyes, saw her and walked over. Thea affectionately took Anna's hand, smiling joyously, "Anna, you're back. Today we have guest, and Dad bought a lot of good food to celebrate our discharge from the hospital. Can you cook for us? I love everything you make."

Only then did everyone notice Anna's presence. Seeing how close Thea and Anna were, they frowned, their expressions turning sour.

Alexander was the first to approach, looking at Anna warily before reaching out to Thea. "Thea, come here. You've forgotten how you got hurt. Stay away from Anna. She could hurt you."

"Alex, I've said it many times already. It wasn't Anna who did this..."

Before she could finish, Benjamin interrupted, "It wasn't her doing, but she's the one who let the thugs bully you, Thea. Stop defending her. You're just too kind, and that's why Anna can bully you like this."

Watching the drama unfold, Anna stood silently without explanation or action. Samuel approached her, advising, "Anna, now that you're back. You should apologize to Thea. If you've done something wrong, you should act like it."

Glancing at Thea, Anna laughed angrily.

Without a word, she slapped Thea across the face, who then fell heavily to the ground. Samuel, not expecting this, became furious. "Anna, have you lost your mind?" he roared.

Anna pulled her hand back, unapologetic. "I won't apologize for something I didn't do. Drop the act," she retorted.

Everyone at the scene was stunned when a tall man in a white shirt, Jasper, Anna's fiancé in name, approached from behind Samuel. Was he here to avenge Thea? How romantic. She snorted sarcastically in her mind.

"Anna, to hurt Thea, you really would do anything. Do you think by doing this, everyone will like you?" Jasper accused without any hint of concern.

He thought this would make Anna relent and apologize to Thea as she used to. He was already quite used to her subservient nature, after all.

But Jasper seemed to forget that Anna had just refused to apologize and had publicly slapped Thea. She seemed completely changed, no longer heeding their words.

Anna looked at Jasper with a hint of mockery in her eyes. Once, she truly adored him, a polite man whose smile was as gentle as a spring breeze. She used to hover around him like a shadow, always obedient, never daring to disagree.

Jasper, from his youth, had taken care of his docile fiancée, his vague affection trapping Anna in a gentle illusion she couldn't escape. When had this man begun to despise her? Gone was any semblance of tenderness, replaced only by endless reproach.

"Jazz, don't speak to Anna like that. She's still your fiancée. Maybe Anna has her reasons. With everything that has happened, she must be very upset." Thea intervened, looking at Jasper with eyes full of confusion and a hint of blame.

At that, Jasper's lips curved into a cruel smile. "Not for much longer."