Episode 9: The Family’s Wrath
1159 Words
Elena had expected hostility.
She fully expected the Sinclair family to reject her as a member with complete hostility. She wasn’t their choice. She lacked both birthright and important contacts that the Sinclair family believed necessary for their recognition.
Knowledge existed as a distinct entity from actual exposure to events.
The family members expressed their intention to destroy Elena during this current encounter.
A Frosty Invitation
Victoria Sinclair extended an invitation in her smooth voice but her words lacked genuine invitation as she said "Elena dear you must join us for brunch tomorrow." It was a summon.
Elena held onto her phone with great intensity while she paused for thought. She spent time reading in the library when the unscheduled phone call interrupted her.
Adrian conducted business outside while his family orchestrated maneuvers that left Elena as the only person present.
“Brunch?” Elena repeated.
Victoria replied with amusement in her voice "Yes." “It’s just a small gathering. Nothing formal.”
A lie.
Victoria had become someone Elena recognized well enough to understand her schemes. Nothing she did was uncalculated.
She faced no alternative besides accepting their invitation.
Elena spoke with a steady tone when she replied "I'd love to."
Victoria chuckled softly. “Good girl. We’ll see you at noon.”
And then the line went dead.
Elena held the phone in front of her while her stomach performed tight knots.
A strong wave of unease told her the next day would become a strenuous fight.
A House of Daggers
The Sinclair estate displayed its usual grandeur yet it created a feeling of oppression on this particular day.
Elena entered the building while her heels produced echoes across the shiny marble floor. The butler brought her through multiple hallways before showing her to an open garden terrace.
Victoria occupied her seat at the table with her impeccable posture while wearing a flawless white dress. Madeline Hawthorne occupied the seat next to Victoria while Elena observed two unfamiliar women by her side.
Victoria said “Elena” as she drank her tea while maintaining a calm tone. “You’re late.”
She wasn’t.
It was only 11:58.
But she didn’t argue.
The server poured tea as she took her seat without changing her face.
The woman observed Elena with clinical precision.
During her arrival into the Sinclair family Madeline started by saying to Elena with disguised scorn "Your entrance into the Sinclair family has been… unexpected."
Elena smiled. The stream of unexpected events fills our lives according to your observation.
Madeline’s lips curled slightly.
“Yes,” she mused. The acceptance of difficult surprises faces more resistance than other unexpected events do.
The pressure of her grip made her cup lose some of its warmth.
The situation had been reduced to this manner of play by them.
Victoria placed her cup on the table before her head moved in a slow motion.
The Sinclair women were examining your adjustment process at that moment. How are you finding it?”
Elena kept her back straight. “I’m managing.”
Madeline’s brow lifted. “Managing? That doesn’t sound very convincing.”
Elena met her gaze. Your interest in my adjustment seems excessive to me Madeline. Should I be flattered?”
Madeline’s smile didn’t waver.
Victoria leaned forward slightly. Her voice turned smooth but dangerous as she spoke. You did not grow up for this human world. It must be difficult.”
Difficult?
Yes.
But would she admit that?
Never.
Elena placed her cup on the table before showing her friendly expression.
“You’re right,” she said. “I wasn’t raised in luxury. I come from an ordinary family and lack both high-profile lineage and debutante ball tradition.
She made a slow glance across each of them.
I possess another quality which exceeds any material advantage. Resilience.”
Silence stretched across the table.
Victoria showed a barely noticeable change in her eye expression.
The strength you possess reaches its limit according to your words. This world has its rules.”
Elena exhaled slowly. “And if I don’t follow them?”
Victoria’s smile was slow.
“Then you won’t last.”
The words were a warning. A threat.
The tempo of her heart remained hidden from their view because Elena chose to conceal it.
She brought the tea cup to her lips and sipped it calmly.
Then she smiled.
I will show you that your assessment of me is incorrect.
A Test of Will
Elena endured a long brunch during which the women used hidden insults to test her limits.
But she held firm.
Victoria made a discreet comparison between Elena and Adrian's former fiancée without detecting any reaction.
The observed woman refused to engage with the comment about wealthy men seeking secure marriages.
The woman made a remark about her improper etiquette which Elena answered with grace while fixing the issues.
Victoria displayed a different facial expression as the dinner came to its conclusion.
She wasn’t pleased.
The sole reason she refused to write off Elena was the fact that she wanted to reassess her.
She was reevaluating her.
Victoria addressed Elena to the staff while they cleaned the dining table. You will not misunderstand this statement but… I hope you’re prepared.”
Elena met her gaze. “For what?”
Victoria smiled, standing gracefully.
The experience required her to understand the essence of being a Sinclair.
And with that, she left.
Adrian’s Reaction
When Elena reached the estate her entire body showed signs of exhaustion.
Adrian waited in the sitting room with a whiskey glass when she entered the house after removing her shoes.
He didn’t look up immediately.
His eyes pierced through her with an intensity that seemed different from his usual manner.
The question about brunch came from him with a tone that was difficult to interpret.
Elena exhaled. The experience proved exactly as people would predict it to be.
He drank his drink at a leisurely pace. “Meaning?”
Your mother continuously pointed out during that time that I did not fit into the family.
Something flickered in his expression.
She felt astonished when he started laughing.
His laugh emerged in a soft tone which indicated he had expected this result beforehand.
Elena frowned. “This is funny to you?”
Adrian placed his glass on the table as he responded with a single word denial. “It’s predictable.”
She crossed her arms. The lack of warning for the upcoming conversation angered you.
His look at her became respectful for the very first time.
The challenge existed to determine your capacity to manage the situation.
Elena’s breath caught.
So this was a test.
And she had passed.
She lifted her chin. “And? Did I?”
Adrian’s lips curved slightly.
“Yes.”
Something shifted between them then.
Something unspoken.
Adrian Sinclair viewed her as
an independent woman for the initial time since their marital union began.
And that?
That changed everything.
- Writer
