Chapter 2 · They Kicked Out the Wrong Wife

Chapter 2

"Sarah, I need to tell you something. Starting today, the internet goes off after ten every night so Jamie can rest. No TV either. Sleep early, walk softly, and don't make noise."

I set down my fork. "I need internet for work. Sometimes I have to work late." Mary frowned. "What job matters more than your brother's future? Can't you make do for once?"

David quickly put food in my bowl. "Sarah, Mom's only doing this for Jamie. Hang in there." I looked at him and found it ridiculous. This was my house, yet I had become a boarder who had to walk on eggshells.

Mary kept rambling on about her new rules. Every single one restricted me, and every word treated Jamie's needs like law. I picked up my bowl and kept eating, unable to tell whether I was swallowing food or humiliation.

That night, David lay beside me. "Honey, I know this is hard. Mom's sharp-tongued. Don't take it to heart. Once Jamie's exam is over, it'll all be fine. It's only two months." I turned away and lay awake in the dark.

I thought this was the limit. I thought if I endured two months, everything would go back to normal. I was naive. I had no idea Mary Carter's real plan had only begun.

Ever since she and James moved in, this home had turned into a boot camp for Jamie's exam prep, and I was the obstacle in the way.

One morning, I got up with a bad wave of morning sickness. The sound of me retching in the bathroom brought Mary over at once. "Why are you making so much noise this early? Don't you know Jamie's sleeping?

"Back in my day, even if we were puking, we kept it to ourselves."

I rinsed my mouth and said nothing.

At the table, I had no appetite and only wanted some porridge. Mary shoved a greasy plate of braised pork in front of me. "Eat meat. If you don't, how's my grandson supposed to get enough nutrition?

"Or are you trying to make things hard for him on purpose?"

Richard Carter ate in silence like an invisible man, and James Carter kept his headphones on, listening to his English lessons as if nothing else existed.

David only said, "Mom, if Sarah can't eat, don't force her." Mary instantly accused me of doing it on purpose. I didn't even have the strength to argue.

That afternoon, I lay on the living room couch for a while. Mary came over and turned off the TV. "Jamie's studying in his room. How can you be watching television?"

"And a pregnant woman lying around all day? Go back to your room and stop getting in the way." I looked at her. "Mom, this is the living room."

Hands on her hips, Mary snapped, "So what if it is? This is a special time. Everything has to make way for the exam. Can't you be sensible for once?" I slowly sat up and went back to my room.

Chapter 2

"Sarah, I need to tell you something. Starting today, the internet goes off after ten every night so Jamie can rest. No TV either. Sleep early, walk softly, and don't make noise."

I set down my fork. "I need internet for work. Sometimes I have to work late." Mary frowned. "What job matters more than your brother's future? Can't you make do for once?"

I thought this was the limit. I thought if I endured two months, everything would go back to normal. I was naive. I had no idea Mary Carter's real plan had only begun.

Ever since she and James moved in, this home had turned into a boot camp for Jamie's exam prep, and I was the obstacle in the way.

"Back in my day, even if we were puking, we kept it to ourselves."

I rinsed my mouth and said nothing.

At the table, I had no appetite and only wanted some porridge. Mary shoved a greasy plate of braised pork in front of me. "Eat meat. If you don't, how's my grandson supposed to get enough nutrition?

"Or are you trying to make things hard for him on purpose?"

Richard Carter ate in silence like an invisible man, and James Carter kept his headphones on, listening to his English lessons as if nothing else existed.

David only said, "Mom, if Sarah can't eat, don't force her." Mary instantly accused me of doing it on purpose. I didn't even have the strength to argue.

That afternoon, I lay on the living room couch for a while. Mary came over and turned off the TV. "Jamie's studying in his room. How can you be watching television?"

"And a pregnant woman lying around all day? Go back to your room and stop getting in the way." I looked at her. "Mom, this is the living room."

Hands on her hips, Mary snapped, "So what if it is? This is a special time. Everything has to make way for the exam. Can't you be sensible for once?" I slowly sat up and went back to my room.