Scorned and Reborn

Mary's Hand hovered over her phone as she debated her next move. Her mind spun with Benjamin's words from the night before—cold, cutting, each one like a dagger twisting in her heart. She'd given him everything, and now he wanted to rip it all away. She needed an ally, someone who could understand, someone who might see past the lies and manipulations Benjamin had woven around her life.

A name came to mind, a last resort she never imagined she'd have to turn to Margaret, her mother-in-law. It wasn't that Margaret had ever treated her with warmth or kindness. Their relationship had always been strained, with Margaret often critical of her decisions, but Mary still held onto the hope that maybe, as a mother herself, Margaret might take her side.

Squaring her shoulders, Mary walked down the long, echoing hallways of the Loven estate until she reached Margaret's private parlor. She knocked lightly, taking a steadying breath as she prepared for the conversation ahead. She could already feel her pulse racing as the door opened, revealing Margaret seated in her usual poised position, tea cup in hand, her expression coldly indifferent.

"Mary," Margaret said, barely looking up from her tea as she gestured for her to come in. "This is unexpected."

Mary stepped into the room, stealing herself as she approached. "I need to talk to you, Margaret. It's about Benjamin."

Margaret's gaze flicked up, a faint glint of amusement dancing in her eyes, but she quickly masked it. "Is that so?" she replied, setting her tea down delicately. "Well, then, speak."

Mary took a deep breath, forcing herself to maintain eye contact. "Benjamin has…he's been unfaithful. He wants a divorce, and he's pushing me out, trying to take everything I've worked for." She struggled to keep the tremor out of her voice. "I thought…as his mother, maybe you'd want to intervene. Help me sort this out."

Margaret regarded her with a mixture of pity and annoyance, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Help you?" she asked, her voice laced with condescension. "And why would I do that, Anal?"

Mary's Stomach twisted, but she held her ground. "Because I've been loyal to this family, to this company. I kept my promises, even when things were difficult. I thought that…meant something to you, or at least to Benjamin."

Margaret's expression didn't soften. If anything, she looked even more irritated, as if Mary were wasting her precious time. "Loyalty?" she scoffed. "You speak of loyalty as if it were some grand virtue. Loyalty doesn't make up for your inability to fulfill your duties as a wife."

Mary frowned, the sting of Margaret's words hitting hard. "What are you talking about? I've done everything I could to support Benjamin and this family."

Margaret leaned forward, her gaze cold and cutting. "Everything, Anal? And yet, in all these years, you've given my son nothing. No heirs, no legacy. Just empty promises and wasted time."

The accusation felt like a slap in the face, but Mary pushed past the hurt, her voice barely above a whisper. "Is that…all I am to you? A means to carry on the family name?"

Margaret didn't even blink. "That's all any wife is in our world, Mary. You may have charmed my son into marrying you, but without an heir, you've failed in the one task that truly matters. So no, I won't 'help' you. In fact, I think it's best for everyone if you leave."

Mary's Heart dropped, her hands balling into fists at her sides. She refused to let Margaret see her pain. "I'm not leaving," she replied, her voice laced with determination. "I've put in years of work, of dedication. I'm not just going to walk away."

Margaret's gaze turned icy, a flicker of disdain in her eyes. "Do you think your stubbornness will earn you any favor? You've overstayed your welcome, Mary. It's time for you to let go."

Mary swallowed, her voice trembling but resolute. "I won't let you push me out just because I haven't given Benjamin a child. My contributions to this family go beyond that."

"Contributions?" Margaret laughed, a mocking sound that sent shivers down Mary's Spine. "What contributions? A few good PR appearances? You think that makes you indispensable?"

Mary steadied her gaze, fighting the urge to break under the weight of Margaret's contempt. "I have the respect of the shareholders and the employees. They know I've worked tirelessly for this company."

Margaret arched an eyebrow, her smile laced with venom. "And yet, without Benjamin's support, you'll find your influence waning rather quickly." She paused, her voice dropping to a whisper, laden with menace. "Do yourself a favor, Mary. Leave quietly. Spare yourself the humiliation."

Mary clenched her jaw, refusing to back down. "I'm not leaving, Margaret. I've fought too hard to be here, and I won't let you or Benjamin strip me of everything I've built."

Margaret sighed, feigning disappointment. "Very well. If that's your choice, then prepare for the consequences." She lifted her teacup again, dismissing Mary with a wave of her hand. "You may leave now. I have nothing more to say to you."

The dismissal was final, but Mary didn't move. She stood there, anger and frustration boiling within her as she fought to contain the torrent of emotions threatening to spill over. She had hoped, naively perhaps, that Margaret might at least understand the gravity of the situation. But it was clear now that the Loven family had never truly accepted her, that she was nothing more than an outsider in their eyes.

Finally, she turned on her heel and walked out, her resolve hardening with every step. She wasn't going to let them win. Not like this.

The following morning, as Mary settled into her office, she tried to push the conversation with Margaret from her mind. She had work to focus on, a company to protect. She wouldn't let their cruelty distract her.

Her phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts. It was an email notification from the corporate communications department. Frowning, she opened the message, her heart sinking as she read the subject line:

"Notice of Shareholders' Meeting: Impeachment Proceedings"

The room seemed to tilt around her, her pulse quickening as she scanned the message, her mind racing to process the words on the screen. They were planning to remove her from her position, to strip her of everything she had worked for all under the guise of a formal shareholders' meeting.