A Call That Changed Her Entire Life

It took a few seconds for the maidservant to respond. She was delighted by Emily's pallid face. Hiding a smile of glee, she turned to Jacob and asked in a servile manner, "Sir, finally you have returned. Please may I take your coat to hang it up for you?"

Jacob didn't respond kindly, but threw the coat at her instead.

Unperturbed with his disregard, the maid still fawned over him. She felt blessed to be able to serve him. Taking his coat, she proudly handled it like a precious treasure which she had been entrusted with.

Gloating, she cast Emily a shrewd glance before leaving the room. Her eyes were filled with scorn and contempt.

Happily she thought that Jacob didn't care for Emily at all. It seemed that she had fallen out of favor with him. Simply being the mother of his child was not enough to secure Emily a position.

She smiled gleefully and began planing what she could do next.

Realizing that Jacob must have heard her speaking to Emily just now, and that he had not taken her to task about her attitude, she began to scheme grandly. Did this mean that Jacob didn't like Emily any more and didn't even care how she was treated?

Unable to restrain her ecstasy, the maidservant began brooding on a plan of how to capture his attentions for herself.

Emily forced a tight smile for him and asked, "Jacob, what were you saying just now?"

His heart sank. He couldn't bring himself to repeat his words again for some unknown reason. "Are you deaf? Should I call a doctor to examine your ears?" he simply asked coldly.

"Stop treating me like this. It's enough!" She replied loudly as the smile faded from her face, "I heard every word, but I just can't believe that you would say such cruel words to me! Why?"

"Emily, come off it!" Jacob said angrily, "The jig is up. I am sick of you!"

She forced herself not to cry, clinging to the cold comfort that he didn't know the truth. He couldn't really be held accountable for his harsh words. Drawing strength from reserves, which she didn't even know she had, she knew that she could take the pain. She could suffer anything as long as it was for Jacob's good.

It was agony hearing such words from the man who she trusted and loved most. Every word from his lips was a dagger to the heart. It was so cruel!

She understood that he was riled by her behavior, because he had no idea of what was really going on. But it didn't ease the pain of his cold contempt. How could he treat her like this? She had been his cherished woman! But now she suffered disdain, like an enemy. Like an angel, she had been cast out of heaven and now languished in hell.

Her worst nightmare had come true. How miserable she was! But for his sake, she would make any sacrifice!

emotions, "I have prepared dinner for you. Please sit down and I will bring the dishes for you," she

the kitchen. Watching her slender back disappearing ahead of

white dress with a primrose yellow apron across her chest. Silently she walked around the kitchen in a pair of soft slippers. There was a lightness to her activity that intrigued him. Her dark-brown

around the kitchen

him. They would hug and kiss

quickly. He wished he could go back in time and they could love each other and be sincere with each other like before.

his remembered hurt. He simply could not get past the thought

pretend nothing happened and assume a look of innocence with him? He saw through her disguise. Never would he be fooled

to the dinning room. Her hands were filled with delicious offerings, and Jacob couldn't help feeling moved. Beryl

all day to see you," Beryl whimpered. Her arms wrapped tightly around Emily and tears kept flowing from her eyes.

to Beryl's complaints. She tenderly returned the hug and patted her back soothingly, saying, "Beryl, I am so sorry.

she would never see her daughter

three of them were finally reunited after a long road filled with twists and turns. She was happy, despite things being much changed between her and

she loosed her hands. She pleaded, "Mom, I don't want to be separated from you ever again. Promise

a little, she stroked Beryl's head and whispered to her, "I know, dear. I don't want

the risk and let Beryl go find Jacob alone because of the emergency situation. There really was

man. She could never let Beryl stay anywhere near that

you are a brave girl. You saved me. I am so proud of you," she smiled down

me, mom. It was dad. He saved you. He is a hero," Beryl replied as she pointed

with her little hands. She left Emily's arms and turned to Jacob. He

happily and said, "Dad, I know you won't leave mom

my dear. I will do anything for you," he replied smiling kindly at her. Looking at her happy face, he was bombarded with

he had done. But now Emily's return had lit up her life again. It seemed that

her mother that much.

her love any more. Why couldn't she love him as

to tell all that Beryl had gone through to Emily. But he didn't know how

didn't matter, he decided. Beryl wanted him to keep the secret forever and he already gave his word on that. Maybe it was

returned to the table. Jacob's words came to her

all of