Next day.
" Despite being a wife of Rodriguez, You must need to have the ability to show your power when people dare to raise their voice against you for no reason, Mrs. Rodriguez!"
The mother of Edward, Mistress of Rodriguez talks calmly yet with a stern voice while sipping the coffee. After getting to know that, some old classmate bullied her. She is now furious and ordered to look for that girl who dared to do. She didn't take the time to come here and meet Charlotte since Charlotte is going to be the next Mrs. Rodriguez soon. She needs to learn her place and the power she holds.
Charlotte hanging her head down, listens to her with a solemn face. When it comes to her past, she is weak and sensitive. People may think she has no strength to defend herself but her root for defending herself has been destroyed when she was a kid, by her mother. She finds herself unable to adapt to the people around her.
" I am sorry, Mom. " she apologizes knowing she can do nothing for her past. She is just too afraid of her past.
" It's not a matter of apologizing. I hope you will fight back when people try to hurt you. We won't be there all the time. " She responds.
" I will keep it in my mind!" She speaks with a genuine smile. Her in-laws are people with words and power. They don't feel ashamed to use their power in the right place.
" Grandma! Are you bullying my Mommy!" Suzy strides downstairs shouting. She was sleeping after having lunch. When she woke up, her nanny informed her about her grandma visiting here. Now seeing her mother being sad, she sensed the trouble on her face.
" My little princess! I am not bullying your Momma. Just telling her how to fight back when needed!" She hugs Suzy, pecking her forehead. Suzy giggles jumping on her lap.
" Don't bully my Momma. I love Momma so much!"
The girl becomes fond of her mother. It looks good to Mrs Rodriguez who was indeed worried about Suzy's wellbeing. What if Charlotte neglects her and doesn't take care of her well? But Seeing her being so close to Charlotte, she sighs in relief.
" Then I will get going. Your father-in-law is waiting for me. Please take care of yourself and my child. Edward can be cold but he is a person with a kind heart. "
She said holding her purse to leave. Charlotte attempts to say her to stay but before that, their attention goes to the door when its bell rings.
" I will see. Maybe Edward is here!" She walks towards the door and opens it hoping, It's Edward who returned from his office.
But Her excitement fades away, her jaw clenched seeing her father standing in front of the door with a flower bouquet holding. " It's been a while, My child!"
Her father smiles wryly, making himself in the house. His eyes roam and scan around before saying something.." How are you doing? I am sorry, Dad was too busy to contact you!"
Charlotte couldn't able to say something. She gazes down to Mrs Rodriguez who is looking at her and stands up with a professional smile.." Hello. Mr. Milestones. It's great to see you here!"
She approaches with an indifferent expression be there has a blank smile on her face. She knows that man. She knows how he let his second daughter humiliate her daughter-in-law and her son in front of everyone. Rodriguez lives up to their prestige. But he almost ruined it.
" Hello.Mrs Rodriguez. It's a pleasure to meet you here. I thought to visit you soon. How are you doing?" He asks stealing a glance at Charlotte who is standing behind with no expression on her face. " Did my daughter make any trouble? She is my beloved daughter. Please forgive her if she does!" he laughs attempting to make a conversation.
But Mrs. Rodriguez remains indifferent but nods.." Don't worry. She is perfect for us. We know how to treat a gem. Please make yourself comfortable "
She sits back, retreating to the plan to leave. She can't let her daughter-in-law stay for a second with this man.
" I will bring coffee for you two." Charlotte hurried inside saying those in a shaky voice. The more she looks at her father's face, the more she feels pain. Reminding her how he never cared about her for once. However, she is shocked to see him being so sweet out of nowhere. He never talked to her for once. Even when she needed someone, he pushed her away like trash. Practically she feels like her father is here to get something.
" My daughter is really good. Ma'am! She used to be perfect in everything. !" He said laughing.
Mrs, Rodriguez shakes her head to join his laughter.." Used to? What about now?" She asks curving the corner of her lips with a smirk. Mr. Milestone becomes silent and later gives another forced smile.
" I am busy with work. So I don't have any idea how she did recently. But her academic results were perfect. I used to call her teachers to know. You know we old people don't have time for them, Young people nowadays love to live on their own!"
Mrs. Rodriguez's sharp eyes are on him. He laughs awkwardly, being so uneasy with her intense gaze at him. Like, she will open his head and read what's going on inside his head. She is indeed a lady who is hard to break. To avoid the gaze and awkwardness, he plays with his sweaty hands. However, he smiles brightly, holding the day bag that he brought with him.
" The reason, I came here today is to visit my daughter. And here. My younger daughter's wedding will be held the day after tomorrow." He holds the invitation card in front of her. She holds the card, reading the lines written on it.." Of course. We will attend. As long as my daughter-in-law gets an individual invitation with a proper apology." she said with a wicked smile on her lips.
Charlotte enters the room when she said that. Charlotte has to narrow her eyes thinking who should apologize to whom. However, watching her father's face, she realized his father is not in a good mood.
" I didn't get you. Why should I?" he asked trying to laugh. But Mrs. Rodriguez didn't let him feel comfortable. " You have spent a good amount of money on your youngest daughter's wedding. I can understand by looking at the invitation card. However, You didn't even think of calling my daughter-in-law all those days she has been here. Neither of you cared to take her home after the wedding. How much she felt sad, Can you imagine that?"
Charlotte looks stunned seeing her mother-in-law knows everything. she places the tray on the table, before looking at her. " Mom! I don't need an apology. I am fine here."
" Did you hear? My daughter-in-law doesn't want anything to do with it. But I demand an apology if You want us to attend the wedding."
Mr. Milestones grits his teeth, gulping the anger that he is feeling now, he looks at Charlotte. He doesn't want to create a bitter relationship with this family. If they attend the wedding, everyone will see his value. He is in the law of the richest man. So, apologizing won't hurt him.
" I am sorry, daughter. I know what I did is unforgivable but Dad is getting older. You are the next heir of everything. If you still can't forgive me, where I can go then? Please, forgive this old man.!"
Charlotte gasps seeing her father seriously asking for forgiveness. She thought her father will never feel guilty but she is wrong. He is sincere when he apologized. "Please! Dad! Stand up! I forgave you. You don't have to do it." she sobs hugging her father. Her craving for attention from her parents was always the only thing, she wanted.
" I don't deserve such a kind daughter. Please join your sister's wedding with your husband and your new family."
She nods with a smile. She doesn't know how she will be able to see the wedding but she will go there with her husband. " I will. Dad. Thank you for coming here."