Ever since Jessica came back, Martha’s dislike for me had grown more blatant with each passing day. She completely disregarded Scott’s earlier outburst and shot me a cold, scornful look.
“Would you look at that, just look at it!” she sneered. “This stupid woman dares to show me attitude!”
As if that wasn’t enough, she kept going. “What, am I not even allowed to say a word about her anymore? Just look at that face—it annoys me just to see her!”
Her words hit me hard, a sharp sting spreading through my chest. I hadn’t shown her any attitude at all. It felt like my very existence at the table was enough to ruin everyone’s mood. Not wanting to cause more tension, I quietly got up and moved to the sofa.
Scott, as usual, ignored his mother’s sharp remarks. Instead, he followed me, crouching down in front of me, his eyes locking with mine.
"Nadia, what's wrong? Not feeling well?" he asked gently. "If you're not hungry, you don't have to eat. I'll get the maid to bring you some desserts later. Tell me if something's bothering you?"
I kept my gaze down, sulking, refusing to meet his eyes or say a word.
Jessica’s voice chimed in from the table. "Scott, please come back and eat. I'll stay here with Nadia," she said, smiling warmly. Then, with a sisterly tone, she added, "It's normal for her to have tantrums. Don't push her. I'll handle talking to her gently."
I glanced past Scott’s shoulder and saw Jessica rising from her chair.
‘I’m not a child. I’m Scott’s wife!’ I screamed inwardly.
Straightening up, I looked Scott in the eye and declared, “I want to attend tomorrow’s event.”
Scott froze, his surprise evident.
In the three years we’d been married, I had never attended any party—large or small. I knew I wasn’t the brightest, and the whispers about me always found their way back to my ears. So, I stayed in the background, away from public scrutiny.
But when Jessica mentioned it would be her first event since returning to the country, I couldn’t get the image of her and Scott standing together out of my head. They were so perfect—beautiful, poised, flawless. The thought of them together felt unbearable.
Scott stared at me for what felt like an eternity, his lips twitching like he wanted to argue.
But finally, he nodded. “Alright. If Nadia wants to go, then we’ll go.”
I noticed Jessica froze for just a moment before resuming her movements. But I couldn’t waste time worrying about her.
After Grandpa passed, Scott was the only person left in my world.
I couldn’t lose him.
...
When we arrived at the event hall, the room briefly fell silent.
Scott led me to a quiet lounge area, handing me a small plate with a delicate slice of cake. His expression softened as he smiled.
“Be good, Nadia,” he said gently. "I'm going to meet some people. Please stay close and don't wander off. I'll come back soon."
As soon as Scott left, a group of women approached me, Jessica at the center of them. My chest tightened as panic started to creep in, and I darted my eyes around the room, desperate for an escape.
One of the women crossed her arms, glaring at me with pure disdain.
“What are you looking around for? Do you even know what you’re seeing?” she sneered. “Honestly, I have no idea what Scott was thinking, bringing you here. People like you belong in a mental hospital. What if you lose it and start attacking someone?”
Her words hit me like a slap across the face. My hands instinctively clutched the hem of my dress, as if it could shield me from their cruel remarks.
"I… I’m not mentally ill," I stammered, my voice trembling. "Grandpa always said I’m just not smart, not sick. What are you doing right now? Are you trying to bully me?"
That only made them laugh louder, their mockery echoing in the room.
“Not smart? So you're just saying she’s a fool in a nicer way?” one woman mocked.
“Guess the gossip was spot on,” another interjected, smirking. “Scott’s wife really is stupid!”
