The Comeback Queen

CHAPTER 5 – STRIPPED OF DIGNITY

This can’t be possible. Tina paced slowly, still clutching the file in her hand. If Carson finds out… If he knows she’s pregnant… Her wicked smirk faltered. I’ll lose everything. There’s no way I can become Mrs. Williams if that child exists.

But just as quickly, her expression hardened.

“No,” she whispered to herself. “Everyone already sees me as his wife. I’ve worn the ring. I’ve stood by his side. The public believes the illusion—and I won’t let Nora ruin that.”

She tucked the file under her arm and marched into the guest room to change, her mind racing with plans. I know what to do. I’ll make Carson hate her even more. I’ll feed the fire until there’s nothing left of her but ashes. Then, I’ll rise—like I was always meant to.

Meanwhile, in the master bedroom, Nora stood trembling, tears streaming down her face.

“This is who you are, Carson?” she whispered. “You see cheating like it’s normal? And the most painful part is… you cheated with *my best friend*?”

Carson turned coldly to her. “I don’t care. What’s done is done. Pack your things. This room now belongs to me and Tina.”

Nora’s voice cracked. “What? Carson… No. This is our room. *Ours!* I’m your wife—”

“And I told you to leave,” he interrupted, unmoved. “If you won’t, I’ll do it for you. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be. You’re not allowed to step in here without permission again. This is Tina’s space now… *my* space.”

He walked out, slamming the door behind him.

Nora stood frozen, her legs trembling beneath her. Her hands slowly rose to her face as she pinched her cheeks—once, twice, harder.

*This can’t be real. No... This must be a nightmare. It has to be.*

Just then, the door creaked open.

Three maids entered hesitantly, their eyes lowered. One of them stepped forward.

“Ma’am… Mr. Carson said we should help you move your things to the guest room.”

Nora’s eyes widened. “No. No, you’re not touching anything. This room belongs to me and my husband. I’m not going anywhere.”

The maids exchanged uneasy glances, but moved forward anyway.

“I said leave my things alone!” she shouted, but they kept working—folding, packing, moving her life piece by piece.

Nora rushed to stop them, tugging at the clothes in their hands, trying to grab her bags. “Don’t touch my things! Stop it!”

But suddenly, two security guards stepped into the room.

“No—please don’t touch me!” she cried as they moved toward her.

One of them gently but firmly grabbed her arm. The other took her by the waist.

“Let me go!” she screamed. “I said leave me alone!”

She struggled wildly, her heart pounding, but the guards were too strong. They pinned her just enough to hold her back as the maids continued clearing the room.

Her knees buckled as she dropped to the floor in defeat. They’re dragging me out of my own home… my marriage… my life.

The humiliation was unbearable. These were people who once called me ‘Madam Nora’… who bowed with respect.* Now, they avoided her eyes.

She buried her face in her hands as a sob tore through her chest.

Carson has stripped me of everything—my place, my dignity… and even my name.

Just then, the guards carried her out of the room.

"I'm sorry, ma," one of them said, avoiding her eyes, "but we’re only following Sir Carson’s orders."

Meanwhile, outside the estate, Tina turned to Carson with a smile. “I didn’t know you loved me this much.”

Carson chuckled. “Why not?” he replied smoothly as they entered the car, heading to Tina’s apartment to pack up her belongings.

Back at the mansion, Nora sobbed into her pillow in the cold, unfamiliar guest room that was now hers. Her chest ached with betrayal, her mind still spinning.

“Please... let this be a dream,” she whispered to herself.

Two hours later, Carson and Tina returned. The maids moved quickly, arranging Tina’s clothes neatly inside what used to be Nora’s closet.

From a small crack in the guest room door, Nora watched in silence. Her heart sank further as she saw her husband smiling at Tina, helping her unpack like a man in love.

She placed a trembling hand on her belly and whispered, “Baby… I’ll protect you. I won’t let your father know about you. Not now. Not after this.”

A tear slipped down her cheek.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

“Ma’am,” one of the maids called gently, “your food is ready.”

Nora replied softly, “Okay, I’m coming.”

She went to the bathroom to wash her face, then came downstairs to join them at the dining table. Her heart sank the moment she saw Tina clinging to Carson like a wife would. Swallowing hard, Nora walked to her seat quietly and sat down.

As the maids began serving food, Tina turned to Carson with a grimace.

“I can’t eat here,” she said, wrinkling her nose.

Carson looked at her. “What’s wrong?”

Tina replied loudly, “Someone here is making me feel irritated.”

Nora looked up sharply, her fists clenched under the table. She wanted to react, to speak, to scream—but she stayed silent. She was an orphan, alone, and had no family backing. She lowered her eyes again.

Carson chuckled lightly. “Her weight shouldn’t annoy you, Tina. You two used to be best friends before I chose you over her. Just manage her appearance.”

That word—manage—stabbed Nora in the chest. So he’s been managing me all this while? she thought. She looked down at her plate, holding back tears. I won’t let them see me cry.

Suddenly, Tina shouted, “What is this?!”

Everyone turned.

“Who cooked this food?!” she demanded.

One of the maids stepped forward and bowed slightly. “Ma… it was me.”

Tina rolled her eyes and turned to Carson. “Babe, so you’ve been eating this kind of food? When this woman here is a certified chef?”

Carson shrugged. “There’s nothing wrong with the food.”

Tina scoffed. “Nothing is wrong?!”

Nora muttered under her breath, “Don’t be dramatic.”

Tina turned sharply. “When me and my husband are talking, don’t interrupt!”

Nora was stunned. “Did you just say husband? You two aren’t married. And I’m not dead. You’re so desperate it’s embarrassing.”

Tina blinked in shock, the word desperate hitting her like a slap. Tears welled in her eyes.

She turned to Carson. “Babe, did you hear what this… this big thing just said to me?! Aren’t you going to do something?”

Carson looked at Nora coldly. “Respect my wife. Or you’ll receive the beating of your life.”

Nora gasped. “What?! You would beat your wife for your mistress?!”

Tina flinched. “Babe!”

Without warning, Carson slapped Nora across the face.

“Don’t ever call her that again,” he growled.

Nora held her cheek, frozen in disbelief as her eyes welled with tears. She couldn’t speak.

Then, Tina looked up sweetly.

“I want Nora to be the chef of this house.”