watch you back

Susan POV; Five years of my life had been wasted just like that. As Toby Maxwell’s ordinary housewife, I wasn’t just humiliated; my dignity had been trampled on thousands of times by him and his family. My son, Jordan, was supposed to be my source of joy, but the moment Ruby came back to the state, he stopped acknowledging me as his mother. Ruby James was Toby’s childhood friend, and when she returned, he gave her the opportunity to work as his secretary. At first, everything seemed normal, until she started becoming a regular guest in our house. Her bond with my son grew so strong that he stopped addressing me as his mother. It was one of the worst feelings any woman could ever go through. “Susan, hurry and prepare jollof rice and beans with grilled fish and fried beef,” Toby instructed as he walked upstairs. He had even started calling me by my name. What happened to the “wife” he once used to call me? “Susan, hurry. I’m expecting an important guest,” he said without looking at me. Since he was expecting a guest, I didn’t think too much about it as I headed into the kitchen. As I prepared the table, a familiar silhouette appeared by the doorway, luggage in hand. So this was the special guest coming to our house. Such an important guest, I thought with a sigh as she walked in, smiling beautifully. I couldn’t help but frown. “Mommy Ruby!” Jordan shouted excitedly as he ran down the stairs, the moment he sees her. “Slowly, Jordan,” she said, and I simply rolled my eyes. “You’re here,” Toby said as he helped her with the bag she was holding. “You came just in time,” he added, leading her to the dining table. I just stared at them, feeling left out. If it had only been a meal, everything would have been better. But it wasn’t just a meal. I could feel that she had come to stay. “Susan, I’ve been thinking. Since Ruby’s place has water issues, I’d love for her to stay with us for a while until the issue is resolved,” he said just like that. He didn’t even ask me. He simply announced it as if it were nothing. “You should have rented an apartment for her. Why should she stay here? We only have three proper bedrooms,” I said, looking at him in surprise. “Before we look for a place, things could get out of hand, so I think she should stay here for the meantime,” he said blankly. “And where would she sleep then?” I asked, because I wasn’t ready for any inconvenience. “She’ll sleep in your room for the meantime,” he said after a pause, looking at me. I stared back at him in disbelief. He wanted me to leave my room for Ruby to stay there. How ridiculous. “Then where would I stay? What happened to the guest room? Why can’t she stay in the guest room?” I asked. “You’ll stay in the guest room for the meantime. Since she was little, Ruby has always been used to luxury. She can’t sleep in the guest room. It won’t be good for her health,” he said. Was he insane? “What about my own health, Toby? I’m pregnant! How can I stay in the guest room?” I shouted at him. His request made no sense to me. How could he even suggest that? While we argued, I could feel her smile from where I stood, and I could bet she was enjoying every bit of it. Such a green-tea b***h—looking all sweet and innocent on the surface, but bitter and poisonous inside. “Toby, Susan is right. I’m a guest, and she’s pregnant. It’s not good for her to sleep in the guest room,” she said, pretending to sound sad. “But I have asthma. I can’t stay in the guest room either. How about I just look for an apartment? Sorry, I wasn’t trying to inconvenience you guys,” she said as she stood up and grabbed her luggage. “Mommy, don’t go! Daddy, do something!” Jordan pleaded. He was the first person to speak up for her. “How could you be this heartless and petty? Ruby has no place to stay. It’s just the guest room. You can manage it for now,” Toby said. I was being petty and heartless? Since when did the owner of the house stay in the guest room while a visitor stayed in the master bedroom? I laughed bitterly. “I hate you, Susan! You want to chase Mommy Ruby away!” Jordan shouted at me. I turned to look at Toby, hoping he would scold him, but he didn’t. Instead, he placed a piece of fried beef into Jordan’s bowl and rubbed his head. It was almost as if he were encouraging him. “Susan, you’re making a big fuss over such a small matter. It’s just a room. Don’t be petty. She’ll leave after a little while. You don’t have to worry,” he said. I was being petty. That was the second time he had used that word on me. I was pregnant, and yet he wanted me to sleep in the guest room, where everything was made from cheap, medium-quality materials. He was putting Ruby first. What about me? What about my child? I turned to look at Ruby, who winked at me with a smirk on her face. It wasn’t just a smirk; it was mockery. “Thank you, Jordan. Thank you, Toby,” she said as she placed meat onto their plates. “This is the first time someone has stood up for me this year,” she added, looking at me. I couldn’t bear it. It felt as though I might strangle her right there. Unable to take it anymore, I left the table for them.