Deceitful Hearts

Chapter 6

Chapter Six

The argument

"Darling, don't you think the house chores and the manner in which you send this lady on errands are too much?" Mr. Desmond voiced his concern.

She frowned. "What are you insinuating?" She asked, her voice laced with venom. "Tell me, Desmond?"

"I don't have time to explain; I believe you can see things yourself," he replied.

"Stop this nonsense," she replied swiftly. "Don't ruin this opportunity for my son, it's his first time using his brain."

"Woman!" Mr. Desmond's voice rose in anger. "Don't let me get mad at you this very minute. What I am trying to tell you is that this innocent girl doesn't deserve this."

"That's enough!" Mr. Desmond interrupted him. "Don't say anything bad about me from your mouth! Because all I ever wanted from you was to support me, but no! You are always against me," she replied, annoyed.

Mr. Desmond's heart was stung by her response, but then he replied.

"What are you talking about? I don't understand. Time and time again, you all have seen me as a stumbling block. But from what you and Clinton are planning against this innocent lady, I don't think my conscience can take it."

She straightened and adjusted herself on the chair, a stubborn bravery appearing in her eyes.

She said, "Darling! Tell me, what can you ever handle? Because you can't handle anything, that's why we remain in poverty; look at yourself." Looking up, she met her wife's hateful eyes. "Opportunities will be staring at you, and yet you can't take them because you can't handle anything. When you married me, I was a succulent young virgin, but just take a look at me now; after all the promises of affection and all, you married me into poverty."

He sighed and shook his head.

"Ah, yes, I promised you everything which I know I'm yet to fulfill as promised, but you are happy with it. I never mistreated you for once," he raised his voice. "Don't forget, it was you who tricked me into marrying you in the first place," Mrs. Desmond bit out her words.

"I had an opportunity to marry rich people, but you made me a laughingstock in the whole city. This is not going to happen again in this family," she replied, widening her eyes.

"I'm not suggesting that you or your children should stay poor. What I mean is, it's important to earn money through legal means," Mr. Desmond clarified.

"Time and time again, you all have seen me as a stumbling block. But from what you and Clinton are planning against this innocent girl, I don't think my conscience can take it."

He's worried. It was written all over his face. "I'm not in this with you," he whispered as he stood on his feet.

She frowned at him and hissed at him.

"Agreed! Leave us alone, no one is begging you to be part of us," she said, standing on her feet.

"Wait, has anyone ever told you that you are selfish and wicked?"

She glanced at him rudely. "You must be joking, right?"

"No! I am not joking, my darling wife; you are very selfish and wicked. If not, how could you be that wicked and support the very bad heart of your son, maltreating and bullying an innocent girl who chose to love and care for you and your son wholeheartedly this way? What if she's your daughter?"

She stirred up in anger. "Never! She can never be my daughter."

He smiled amazingly. "Yes! You are right, dear. She can never be your daughter because nothing good can come out of a black pot like her."

"Wow! I see, so I am the black pot here, right? Then I will make you see the real content in the black pot," she replied as she grabbed his shirt.

"Woman! Let go of me!" He yelled at her.

"You just called me a black pot and I'll show you what black really stands for," she said, locking up his shirt.

"Let go of me, woman!" He said again.

The anger in her kindled even more, and she stared at him speechless.

At last, she managed to speak.

"I think you are just interested in her."

"W-what? It seems you are crazy."

"Interested in my daughter-in-law? Now I believe you are insane," he replied.

"If you don't like her, why are you always defending her?"

"Really! But you know that's not true, right? I just want you to be nice and take her to be your daughter-in-law, that's all. She's an amazing person, and if our son didn't like her, let him open up to her," he replied smoothly.

"My dear, I am so sorry. Don't let this spoil our love, okay."

*******

"Good evening, Mom!" Cassandra greeted.

Mom's expression changed, and she spoke sternly. "Cassandra, do you know that you are ruining your life?"

"What happened? Did I do something that disappointed you? Mom."

"Where are you coming from at this time of the night?" She asked curiously.

Clinton walked with a

happy expression on his face.

"Hi, Mom."

"Hi, welcome, my love," she answered.

"Mom, what's happening? You look worried."

"It's your sister."

"And what about her? Is she rude to you or what?"

"No! But she always comes home late, going about partying and the rest," she replied.

"Is that true?" Clinton asked.

"No! You know that can't be true. I was with my boyfriend."

"Who? Don't tell me you are with that wretched boy?" She widened her eyes.

"No! Mom, he is not wretched."

"Why can't you be like your brother? Just look at him, he brought home the biggest and greatest fish. The lady is wealthy, rich, and beautiful even though I don't like her."

At her mom's words, her eyes turned, and she said, "Don't worry, Mom, we are both working on it. We are going to make you proud," she added.