Her Graceful War Song

Hearing this, Zoey sensed that there had been some friction between Viola and Amelia. Her heart sank- she hoped it wasn’t related to the events surrounding Amelia.

“Please tell me the details. I want to know everything, no matter how minor,” Zoey insisted.

After Poppy recounted everything she knew, Zoey summarized it.

“Three main issues. First, Viola appointed Amelia to manage the household but only allocated 30 percent of Barrett’s salary to the family fund, while all her expenses, including clothing and monthly allowances, came from there

“Second, after an argument with Amelia, Viola resorted to extreme measures. She even gave Amelia scissors to stab her belly.

“Third, she complained that Amelia didn’t buy enough Evergreen Pills for her. Did I get it all right?”

Poppy nodded. “That’s correct.”

“All this happened right before Amelia’s suicide. What about before that? Was there any previous discord?”

Poppy thought for a moment, then said, “There wasn’t anything particularly severe, but Madam Viola always looked down on Madam Amelia, so there were probably some disrespectful remarks.”

“How disrespectful? To what extent?”

“Mostly, she would say Madam Amelia came from a low background, had no education, and lacked dignity. She said Madam Amelia was just someone who knew how to scheme for trivial gains, and that she couldn’t win her husband’s affection.”

Perhaps accustomed to the situation, Poppy no longer saw the disrespect as being particularly severe.

“Did she say these things to her face?” Zoey pressed.

“Yes, she did. Madam Viola insisted on saying such things directly. She said if she spoke behind Madam Amelia’s back, it would make her look petty.”

Zoey frowned. “I want to call her insane, but that’s not how insanity works. It seems a person’s true nature can’t be changed. She’s even worse than a petty person.”

Zoey felt a deep–seated annoyance towards Viola. Was this really how she treated people?

Meanwhile, Barrett trudged into Rebecca’s room. His steps were heavy as he numbly delivered the news that the baby was gone. This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

Jonathan, who was also in the room, sprang to his feet incredulous. “He was born lifeless?”

“Barely escaped losing both of them,” Barrett said, his gaze fixed on his mom, filled with a mixture of grief and anger.

Rebecca’s face turned pale and her lips trembled for a moment before she managed to utter, “How was I to know she was so useless?”

You wanted your

“Shut your mouth!” Jonathan exploded with fury. “What kind of mother–in–law are you? pregnant daughter–in–law to kneel outside Arcane Sanctum? Why don’t you go kneel yourself?”

Jonathan rarely spoke to his wife with such harshness. He had always been indecisive, allowing her to manage all the family affairs.

Rebecca seemed taken aback by his outburst. For a moment, she was speechless. Once she regained her composure, she trembled in anger.

“You’re mad! You want me to kneel? What about the dignity of our family?”

“What about your own life?” Jonathan shouted back.

“Stop this nonsense!” Barrett lifted his gaze, tears pooling in his eyes, his lips trembling slightly. “It hasn’t been very long since Amelia died. Mom, don’t you feel any responsibility for her death or Viola’s suffering? Just because you’re a mother–in–law doesn’t mean you can treat them this way!”

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Rebecca trembled all over. “How… How have I mistreated them? Carissa used to do the same things I asked of them! If she could manage it, why couldn’t they?”

Clenching his fists, Barrett roared, “Don’t mention her! We have no right to speak her name! She risked her life to save my sister–in–law, and you’re the one who drove her to death! You think Amelia’s the one who made you look harsh? No, it’s you! You’re not just harsh–you’re cruel. What kind of mother–in–law treats her daughter–in–law like that?”

Rebecca pounded the bed in frustration. “What did I do to her? She threatened to drown herself after making a mistake! How could I not punish her? Are there any rules in this household? Her suicide also affects your future, and yet you defend her! You’re so ungrateful!”

“That’s my own fault! It has nothing to do with Amelia!” Barrett yelled.

Tears streamed down his face as he thought of Amelia and the child he had lost. He also thought about the woman he once had. It felt like a piece of his heart had been ripped out, leaving only an overwhelming

pain.

Yet, he couldn’t help but feel a sliver of inappropriate amusement amidst his tears.

“Karma–it’s all karma,” he muttered.

Rebecca gasped for breath as she pointed an accusing finger at him, unable to utter a single word as her face turned purple from the strain. Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced her chest and she collapsed.