Falling for a Stand-In

"To think you're wearing trash that I've discarded. Only beggars would want other people's leftovers, Janae," I said.

A crisp slap rang out, and my face burned.

Marcus looked at me, then at the hand he'd used to slap me. His gaze was shifty; he didn't dare meet my eyes.

Janae, who'd looked aggrieved, secretly shot me a smug look. She was showing off to me. She said, "Don't get mad at Ms. Granger because of me, Mr. Gray. I'm just a stand-in…"

Ha. She knew her place, didn't she? Honestly, I wanted to applaud her performance. She acted like she was swallowing her grievances to win Marcus' pity.

He fell for it hook, line, and sinker. His chest heaved with rage, and he glared at me, his confidence boosted by Janae's words.

Then, he pointed at me and snapped, "You've completely lost your mind, Renee! Do you realize how unbecoming your behavior is? You're like a shrew now, not a proper lady! You disgust me!"

Marcus' words were hurtful, but I took them all in without protest. I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails dug into my palms, almost drawing blood.

I was once a rose born in the mud—he was the one who'd pulled me out and washed my petals clean. He'd helped me bloom again. Yet now, I'd blossomed beyond what he could accept. So, he cut me down at the roots.

We parted on that unhappy note, and I returned to the Granger residence. The heat was turned up inside, and I shuddered from the sudden change in temperature when the warmth enveloped my cold body.

Things were still the same. Even the way Mom ignored me hadn't changed—I'd been away from home for a year, yet she merely glanced at me from her spot on the couch without saying anything.

She probably hated me to the core.

I lugged my suitcase into the house with difficulty; I didn't have much strength because of my illness. The suitcase fell to the floor with a loud bang, but Mom didn't even bat an eye.

"Renee! Why didn't you tell me you were coming back? I would've picked you up." My brother, Reuben Granger, hurried to me when he heard the noise. He helped me with my suitcase and complained about how I'd barely contacted him while abroad.

"Ha! As if she'd have the nerve to speak to you!" Mom sneered as she rebuked Reuben.

He frowned. "Mom, that's enough."

That infuriated her. She shot up and lunged toward us, grabbing my suitcase and throwing it out of the house. "She killed your father! How can you still stand up for her? Are you heartless?"

Reuben shielded me. "Mom, Renee is finally home after so long! Where do you expect her to go if you won't let her come home?"

Mom glared at me with hatred and anger. Then, she snorted and snarled, "She can stay wherever she wants as long as it's not here! Even if she dies out there, it's just the price she has to pay for killing your father!"