Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed



Kathleen stared at the disconnected call, frustration boiling over as she knocked the tray in front of her to the floor.

The freshly made chicken soup spilled over, the porcelain bowl shattering on the ground with a crisp sound.

"Ma'am..." The servants collectively trembled.

"Out! Get out all of you-" Kathleen pointed towards the door, her usually well-maintained face unusually twisted in anger.

The servants filed out in silence.

Kathleen stumbled back, collapsing onto the couch as her chest heaved dramatically.

Over the years, she had been trying to mend the strained relationship with her in-laws.

The old man was manageable, gradually moving from initial cold blame to a calm acceptance. Although he wasn't as close as before, it was bearable. But the old lady...

Though she never said it aloud, her heart was filled with blame, never showing Kathleen a shred of kindness.

"Sir's back..."

The butler's voice came from outside, followed by footsteps approaching.

Teague Sullivan stepped through the front door, only to be greeted by the mess. His expression unchanged, he glanced at Kathleen's still furious figure on the couch.

Without a word, he headed upstairs.

Seeing him ignore her, Kathleen couldn't help but stand up, "Aren't you going to ask why I'm upset?"

Teague turned around, leisurely unbuttoning his cuffs, disinterestedly replying, "As long as you're happy."

It can be replaced if broken, and the floor can be cleaned if dirty.

Always like this!

He was always like this...

"Teague, I'm your wife! Can't you at least care about how I feel?!"

He raised an eyebrow, "Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed today?"

"

"We've been doing this for years, what's gotten into you now?"

Kathleen: "..."

"

"By the way, I've got plans tonight, won't be home for dinner." Saying so, he prepared to go upstairs to change.

Kathleen followed him, "I only found out today from someone else that my parents have been back in the country for a week now, and your son, knowing full well, deliberately kept it from me!"

Had she not overheard it, she would still be in the dark.

Recalling how these two always sided together, Kathleen paused, venturing, "...Did you know about this?"

Teague nonchalantly admitted, "Knew about it. Even had dinner with mom and dad a couple of days ago."

Kathleen's simmering anger flared anew, shooting straight to her head, "You knew my parents were back in the country?!"

Teague: "What's the issue?"

"You knew they were back and didn't tell me?! You all knew, and I was the only one left out. What am I to you?! I'm less than a servant in our own home!"

Teague frowned, seemingly not understanding her outrage.

"First off, no one knew you didn't know about your parents being back; secondly, as you said, even the servants knew, yet you didn't? Have you ever thought about why that might be?"

Why!

Always why!

It was always her fault!

Kathleen erupted-

"Are you trying to say that my parents hate me, that it's all my fault, that I deserved it?!"

"You two, my husband and my son, neither of you stands by me, thinks for me."

"My parents, yet you deliberately leave me out, going to dine with them alone. Do you think that's appropriate, Teague?!"

He watched her hysterics calmly, his eyes devoid of any turmoil, "They're your parents, but they're also my in-laws. What's wrong with me dining with them?"

"In-laws? Right, because no matter which daughter you married, they would still be your in-laws, wouldn't they?"

Teague's brows furrowed, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Is it that you don't understand, or you're pretending not to? Isn't it

true? You're so good to my parents,

making time to visit them abroad making

every year, yet you never take me with you."

She spoke deliberately, "Teague, whose filial piety are you demonstrating?!"

His face emotionless, he finally spoke, "Why I don't take you, don't you know the reason?"