Chapter 8 · After He Killed My Child

Chapter 8

Russ's voice was cold as ice. "After she's beaten, throw her into the farthest corner of the west wing. Without my order, she isn't allowed to step outside the courtyard gate."The child she carries is Marrow blood, after all.Find a midwife to keep an eye on her. Whether it lives or dies, its fate is in its own hands."For a pregnant woman, thirty lashes might as well be a death sentence.Abigail let out a piercing scream."No. Lady Jane, spare me. General, save me!"Two burly servant women stepped forward, grabbed her by the arms, and dragged her away.Watching the scene unfold, I felt a surge of delight inside.But outwardly, I put on a look of feigned sympathy.I walked up to Jane and bowed gracefully."Mother, please don't be angry."Abigail may have done wrong, but the child inside her is innocent."Please, Mother, for the sake of Russ's child, let her go this once."My "plea" left everyone in the room stunned.Russ snapped his gaze to me, his eyes wide with shock and confusion.Jane gave me a long, piercing look, as if she could see right through me.After a long pause, she finally spoke."You really do have a soft heart, Lucy."Alright then. Since you're speaking up for her, I'll spare her life."She won't have to take the lashes."Hope flickered in Abigail's eyes.But Lady Lucy's next words crushed her hopes in an instant."But none of those insolent servants around her can stay. Sell them off."Cut her allowance in half. Let her stay in the west wing and focus on her pregnancy."Abigail's servants were taken away from her, and every source of income she had was cut off.She was ordered to stay in that abandoned courtyard, completely isolated and helpless.This was even more ruthless than thirty lashes.I lowered my head, concealing the amusement in my eyes."I thank you for letting Abigail off, Mother," I said.Russ stood frozen, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white.He could only watch as Abigail was dragged away, forced to witness my overwhelming victory in this struggle.He was utterly powerless.Everyone saw me as the most innocent, the kindest, and the one who'd been hurt the most the whole time.In this whole drama, Russ and his precious Abigail were the most pathetic and ridiculous ones.The room finally fell quiet.Jane walked over and gently patted my hand."Sweet child, you've been through so much," she said.Her voice carried genuine warmth.I shook my head, tears slipping down my cheeks once more."As long as I can stay by Russ's side, cooking for him, I don't feel wronged at all," I said.I looked up, my tear-filled eyes meeting Russ's gloomy face.My gaze was still overflowing with love and attachment.Russ and I locked eyes in the air.He jolted like he'd been scalded, then looked away in embarrassment.I knew that from today on, the balance of power in the General's Estate had shifted for good.I had returned to the top.*****Abigail was banished to the west wing.Her courtyard was hardly any better than the old shed I'd been locked up in before.It was dark, damp, and overgrown with weeds.Word was, on her very first day there, she slipped on the moss at the entrance and almost had a miscarriage.She was so terrified she sobbed all night.But now, no one paid her any mind.Jane had Abigail's maids and servants either sold off or beaten to death, accusing them of corrupting Abigail and scheming.Now, the only one left to serve Abigail was a clumsy, rough-handed servant girl.The meals Abigail got each day had gone from lavish feasts to nothing but soup and bland bread.Those expensive treats that used to arrive in her courtyard like clockwork were gone.She fell from grace.As for me, my fortunes took a turn for the better.The day after the incident, Jane summoned me to Pine Hall.She dismissed everyone else, leaving only Laura behind.She took my hand and had me sit beside her.From a rosewood box, she pulled out a heavy bunch of keys and several thick ledgers.She said, "Lucy, these are the keys to the family treasury, and the ledgers for the past few years."I used to think you were too soft-hearted. Being new to the family, I wasn't sure if I could trust you with managing such a big family."But now I see I underestimated you."I shot to my feet, protesting immediately."Mother, I can't possibly accept this. I am far too unworthy to take on such an important responsibility," I said.

Chapter 8