Filed to story: The Daughter in the Shadows (Yunice) Book by Una Norris
Driven by a vague resentment, she had deliberately spent Wyatt’s money today and spoiled Gill with it.
If Nora, as the ex, got to enjoy his generosity, then Yunice-his wife-had every right to as well.
If they wanted to treat her like an object, a stand-in, then fine. She’d join them in degrading herself.
She and Wyatt were legally married. She hadn’t wronged anyone.
At the gates of the Saunders estate, Yunice and Gill got out of the car.
Word of Yunice’s visit had gotten out early. Thanks to Peggy, the whole Saunders family had been dragged out to the front to greet her.
That was the only reason Yunice was being treated with such fanfare today.
But when Gill stepped out, decked in designer jewelry and bags, jaws practically hit the pavement.
“You-“
Seeing Lily’s stunned expression, Gill exaggeratedly flashed the gem-encrusted rings on her fingers. The brilliance of the stones was practically blinding.
“That’s right! You’re not seeing things. I’m rich now! All of this-every piece-was bought by my lady here. Take a good look. Stones like these? You’d only see them in a museum!”
Lily’s face turned red. She glared at Yunice. “Is that true? You bought those for her?”
Yunice smiled. “Yes, Gill’s helped me through a lot. Of course I want her living in luxury now that I can afford it.”
The Saunders family members all stiffened. Yunice had lived under their roof for years and never once gave them anything. Now that she had money, the first person she spoiled was a servant?
Lily’s eyes turned red with fury. She wanted to lash out-she’d nearly died giving birth to Yunice, and what had she ever gotten in return?
Elsie, quick as ever, grabbed Lily’s arm and gave her a subtle shake of the head.
Lily looked at her. For some reason, she actually held back.
Yunice noticed the exchange and thought, These women are definitely planning something.
That’s when Owen finally spoke, scolding her: “Don’t let wealth corrupt your character. Bringing her here just to flaunt riches-don’t you think that makes you look like some tacky nouveau riche? Today is about discussing the wedding, and everyone here is family. You can come in on your own-she’s just a servant, she’s not allowed in!”
Gill was dressed like royalty and clearly stealing the spotlight. Owen wasn’t about to let a servant show him up.
Yunice reminded him. “Two nights ago, you went crying to Mr. Carl about me. Even though he knew you were in the wrong, he still advised me not to skip your big day out of consideration for our sibling bond. But now you’re bossing around my friend-if that’s how it’s going to be, I’m happy to sit this out.”
She grabbed Gill and turned to leave.
“Hey! Don’t go!” Peggy hurried up with a bright smile, grabbing Yunice’s arm and planting her other hand on the car door.
“Owen doesn’t make the rules. If he won’t let you in, I will!” She looped her other arm through Gill’s and grinned. “Come on, I’ll take you both in.”
Peggy had her own little scheme going. If Yunice was willing to spend that kind of money on a servant, then coaxing Yunice into her good graces would surely mean a life of luxury for herself, too.
Owen tried to protest, but Peggy shot him a glare. “The whole family’s watching-don’t make me embarrass you in front of your own relatives.”
Owen cared about appearances, and Peggy, shameless as ever, had him by the throat.
So the three “outsiders” strolled confidently into the Saunders household like they owned the place, while Owen and his crew trailed behind, looking like background characters.
Once inside the living room, Yunice quickly noticed that everyone seated there was on Lily’s side of the family.
The Saunders’ paternal relatives were few to begin with, and over the years, Lily’s growing influence had distanced them even further. It was clear now that Lily had her own faction within the family.
Seeing the glittering jewelry on Gill, one of the elders slowly put down his teacup, his expression stiff. “Forgive me, my eyes must be failing me. This lady is… whose wife?”
Gill dramatically grabbed his hand and gave it a hearty pat. “Mr. Terrance! I used to work here in the Saunders household. Don’t you remember the time I poured you tea and you complained it was too weak, said I was disrespecting you on purpose, then splashed scalding tea right in my face?”
Gill smiled like nothing was wrong, but her words stabbed like knives.
Mr. Terrance couldn’t place her at all. Of course, he didn’t remember bullying a servant years ago. He assumed she was some rich woman joking around and quickly turned to Yunice: “Yunice, don’t just stand there! Go pour tea for our guest-don’t let people say our family lacks manners!”
Because none of these relatives had attended Yunice’s wedding, they didn’t know who her husband was. As far as they were concerned, she was still the lowest member of the family.
Once Mr. Terrance opened his mouth, everyone else turned their noses up at Yunice.
She wore plain clothes-aside from a simple, brandless outfit, there wasn’t a single piece of jewelry on her. She looked good, yes, but couldn’t hide the poverty in her appearance.
Someone even tossed their empty cup on the table. “No sense of propriety at all. Don’t you know to refill our tea?”
Yunice looked up at the speaker, then calmly reached for the teapot-but she didn’t stand.
“Hey!” The man slapped the table. “You glued to that chair? Didn’t anyone ever teach you you’re supposed to stand when serving tea to guests?”
“The hell are you barking for?” Peggy snapped, hands on her hips. “She’s doing you a favor just topping up your water. You clearly aren’t thirsty with that mouth running. Forget the tea.”
She snatched the pot from Yunice’s hand, then completely switched tones and beamed at Yunice. “Ignore the trash-I’ll serve you instead.”
Mr. Terrance turned bright red and slammed the table. “Who are you calling trash?!”
Peggy bent down, holding the teacup in both hands like it was sacred, and gave him a look. “Take it easy with the pounding. That’s a rosewood table. You break it, even selling your two deadbeat sons for parts won’t cover it.”
Mr. Terrance’s face flushed crimson. “That’s my nephew’s table! You think you have a say?!”
Peggy stood up and clicked her tongue. “You’re wrong there. Owen might be the man of the house, but I’m the lady of it. Talking to me is the same as talking to him.”
“You think you matter? You’re an outsider. Whether or not you get to stay in this family depends on us old-timers. If we say no, then you’re nothing but air!” Mr. Terrance barked. “Owen, I don’t approve of this marriage. I don’t like her. Call it off, or you’re no longer my nephew!”
Gill nearly spat her tea laughing. She and Yunice exchanged a look. This guy really thinks he’s someone.
Yunice tilted her lips into a slight smile, her eyes clearly saying, Just wait and see how Peggy deals with them.
Yunice hadn’t come to the Saunders family home today just to get humiliated. But with trash, sometimes you need trash to clean it up-today’s mess was just getting started.
Sure enough, Peggy didn’t treat Mr. Terrance with an ounce of respect. “I call you an old coot and you’re offended? Look at you, embarrassing yourself again!”
“It’s the modern era. No one needs their parents’ approval or a matchmaker’s word anymore. As long as I’ve got a marriage certificate, forget you-even if Owen’s own mother didn’t approve, no one’s breaking us up, got it?”
“If you really can’t stand your niece-in-law, then there’s the door-don’t let it hit you on the way out.”
Peggy’s voice rang out like a bell, grinding Mr. Terrance’s face into the dirt with zero regard.
He turned pale and wide-eyed in fury. He never imagined this woman would be so savage. Glaring at Owen, he barked, “Owen! Slap her mouth! Show her who runs this family!”
“Uh…” Owen flinched at being called out. He knew if he dared hit Peggy, she’d either slap him back or call the cops and report him for domestic abuse. Either way, he’d be screwed.
Owen didn’t move. Peggy just laughed. “That’s a good question-you’re asking who runs this family? The surname here is Saunders. What’s a Moore like you doing running your mouth on Saunders territory?”
Mr. Terrance’s face turned beet red. He couldn’t even come up with a comeback and just kept glaring, pressing Owen again: “Owen! What are you standing there for? Hit this shrew already! You call yourself a man and can’t even keep your wife in line?”
“Ooooh, how impressive-” Peggy crossed her arms and taunted him, “So this is what being a real man looks like? You show your manliness by beating women?”
She stuck out her face, tapped her cheek. “Go on, hit me. Thirty grand a slap. Come on-“
Owen’s face turned crimson. He was completely stuck. Peggy had him so terrified, he didn’t dare raise a hand. He knew if he did, she’d retaliate, and hard.
Seeing his hesitation, Mr. Terrance was fuming. He widened his eyes and growled, “How did your mother give birth to such a useless thing? Can’t even handle your own wife! Fine, if you won’t do it, I’ll teach her myself!”