When the heiress remembered

The clink of cutlery against porcelain echoed loudly in the vast dining hall as the house help, Gina, arranged the dining table. Her hands trembled as she put the final place setting, her face pale and breath uneven. Adele noticed, of course, she did. The corporate maid had whispered it to her yesterday, voice shaking with fear. “I’m pregnant, madam… I don’t think he’ll accept it.” Adele had placed a steady hand over hers before she could even finish her sentence. “I’ll speak to your boyfriend,” she had assumed it was the man she saw Gina with often. “You don’t need to worry.” “Thank you, Gina”. Mrs. Harrington's sweet voice cuts through Adele's thoughts, making her raise an eyebrow. Her mother-in-law was acting rather strange. Mrs Harrington was the devil incarnate herself; she never smiled, nor did she treat anyone, especially those beneath her status, nicely, but here she was, smiling all of a sudden to the maid. Gina’s lips twitched in a faint smile, but her eyes stayed hollow as she slipped back into the kitchen, leaving a trace of unease in the air The atmosphere remained quiet, filled with tension, before Mrs. Harington broke the silence. She stirred her tea slowly, the spoon clinking against the cup with deliberate calm. “You know,” she said lightly to her son, not looking at Adele, “Mrs. Whitmore’s daughter-in-law just gave birth last week. A healthy baby boy. The whole family is over the moon.” She smiled, a thin, satisfied curve of her lips. Adele's face dropped; she knew where this was going again. She hadn't been able to get pregnant since her three years of marriage to Isaac, not even a miscarriage. Then Mrs Harrington sighed, as though remembering something pleasant. “And my friend, Mrs. Federington, her son’s wife is pregnant. So soon after the wedding, too. Some women are just… blessed.” “Mom!” Isaac called out softly, but he wasn't angry enough. He didn't seem to be reprimanding his mother. He only didn't want her to speak further. “It must be such a joy,” she continued sweetly, ignoring her son, “to see your lineage secured early. To know your son’s house will not be empty.” She took a sip of her tea, unhurried, her gaze finally meeting Adele with disdain. Adele swallowed hard, her eyes filling up with tears, her throat tightening. “I believe God gives children when the time is right, Mom!” Adele managed to say. “God? Did you just say… God?” Mrs. Harrington’s voice cracked like a whip. “Three years in this family and not even a single child to show for it”. Not even once, Adele. Not even once.” “You are a disappointment to the Harrington family.” She scoffed. All Mrs Harrington wanted at this moment is an heir to carry on the family legacy. She turned to look at her son, as if blaming him for everything. Mrs. Harrington had always wondered why her son chose a random lady with no memory of who she was or where she came from. “Mother! Please, not today, we agreed.” Isaac said with panic in his eyes. “Of course it's today, Isaac. Let this empty woman know your intentions and that she has no place in this family.” She pointed at Adele, whose blood pounded hard against her veins. “I warned you, didn't I? I told you not to marry a girl whom you found in a mental hospital, someone who doesn't even know her family.” “But since you are a doctor who doesn't think, you fell in love with your patient. Pathetic.” Mrs Harrington hissed. Isaac lowered his head the moment the accusation landed, eyes fixed on the floor. His countenance showed regret and shame. Adele's hand trembled. It had always been like this; he never defended her whenever his mother insulted her, and whenever she told him how she felt, his usual reply was. “But it's true, you are barren”. “Well, I know exactly who she is; she is a slut who has had so many abortions before, and now her uterus is damaged.” Mrs. Harrington continued, brows furrowed. “Stop it!” Adele's voice thundered in the atmosphere, causing Mrs. Harrington to stop talking immediately. “Don't speak to me that way, Mom! I also have human feelings, okay!” Tears streamed down her delicate face. At first, Mrs Harrington was surprised that Adele spoke back at her, but her expression was immediately replaced with anger. She abruptly grabbed her bag and brought out some papers. “Since you have human feelings, sign those! Isaac signed already. You are no longer needed in this family.” “What! Adele exclaimed, Isaac! This is a prank, right?” Her hands moved to the papers, her breath caught as she saw Isaac's signature boldly written. “You… you can't do this to me! You know I have nowhere to go, no family, and I remember nothing about my life before you. Her nose burned, clogged, and aching. But Issac didn't say a word, he just looked at her without an expression on his face, the guilt was gone, but he still didn't have the bravery to speak for himself. Isaac had always been a Mama's boy. Does whatever his mother says. He feared his mother more than anyone else, and somehow, his mother was always right. And the only time he rebelled against her, see where it got him. He got married to someone who couldn't bear him an heir. “And how is that our business? You see, this family deals with class, and children are our greatest achievement. Since you can't have one, YOU ARE NOT NEEDED”. The words echoed loudly in Adele's ears. Isaac was her confidante. The only one who believed she was not crazy when she woke up in a mental hospital without memories except her first name, offered her a place to stay when she got better and eventually married her. “Please, Isaac, don't do this to me. I… will try harder.” She stood up and knelt on the cold marble floor, directing her gaze towards Mrs. Harrington. “I will try harder and get pregnant before the year ends.” She leaned forward, shoulders hunched, hands pressed tight together, then rubbed fast and hard. “Try again? Harder? Mrs Harrington’s sharp, brittle laugh cut through the room, then she tilted her head, eyes gleaming with cruel satisfaction, and she let the laughter linger just long enough to sting”. “You had three years,” she said at last. “Another woman had done what you couldn't” within weeks. “The Harringtons have been saved from shame,” she added lightly, “Everything you failed to do she accomplished without effort.” “What are you talking about?” Adele's voice came out loud? She looked at Isaac and huffed in disbelief. “Isaac, what is she saying! You wouldn't do that! Right baby? You promised me forever.” Her chest constricted like iron bands squeezing her ribs. Each inhale rasped painfully, shallow and uneven. “I had no choice, Adele. Moreover, I can't be with someone who cannot give me an heir, so don't be selfish. He paused. “Just sign the divorce papers”. He continued, his words falling like frozen steel. “No, no, I won't do that. Who is this woman, huh? How could you betray me this much, Isaac?” “Betrayal? Isaac scoffed. I f*****g helped get you out of a mental asylum. You should be grateful.” His words pierced through her heart before his mother interrupted. “Gina love! Ginaaaa.” Mrs. Harrington called. Her voice floated through the atmosphere, light and sugary, brimming with happiness. Warmth vanished from Adele's cheeks, leaving her skin. A faint dizziness washed over her, and the room seemed to tilt as realization settled in. Adele froze, eyes locked on Gina as she stepped forward, red dress swishing around her ankles, hair cascading perfectly over her shoulders. She no longer had her work clothes on. Adele's body weakened. The girl who had trembled in fear yesterday now moved like a queen claiming her throne. Her stomach dropped, heart thudding as the truth hit. Everything had been a plan, executed without her knowing. “The pregnancy you talked about yesterday was for my husband?” Adele questioned in disbelief.