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!

"I have prepared dinner for you. Please sit down and

her into the kitchen. Watching her slender back disappearing ahead of him, he didn't know how to react. Suddenly he felt the

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

the kitchen triggered

meals waiting for him. She used to stand at the door, eager to see him. They would hug and kiss each other, before together going to

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

hurt. He simply could not get past the thought which dominated his mind: that she had hurt and betrayed him, causing him such deep

nothing happened and assume a look of innocence with him?

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

to see you," Beryl whimpered. Her arms wrapped tightly around Emily

she listened to Beryl's complaints. She tenderly returned the hug and

she would never

filled with twists and turns. She was happy, despite things being

she loosed her hands. She pleaded, "Mom, I don't want

tears silently, fighting for calm. After settling down a little, she stroked Beryl's head and whispered to her, "I know, dear. I don't want to be separated from

to take the risk and let Beryl go find Jacob alone

that man, even if it meant

saved me. I am so proud of you," she smiled down at

He saved you. He is a hero," Beryl replied as she pointed to Jacob.

arms and

kissed her father happily and said, "Dad, I know you won't leave mom alone

he replied smiling kindly at her. Looking at her happy face, he was bombarded with an array of mixed feelings.

return had lit up her life again. It seemed that she had already forgotten what happened before. The

mother

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

that Beryl had gone through to Emily. But he didn't know how to explain it to her. The right words

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

returned to the table. Jacob's words came to her as she was ready to dish the rice

cook all of this?" he asked.