Two Reborn, One Throne novel Chapter 148

The Sutton Household.

Ever since Xanthe left, it felt like the sky had fallen.

Damien's son was either late for school or left waiting at the gates with no one to pick him up. His wife, Deirdre, complained endlessly. "I don't know what you elders are thinking. Xanthe is forty years old, and you're letting her get married? It's bad enough there's no one to pick up the kid, but look at the fields! It's harvest season! No one's cleaning the house, no one's feeding the pigs, no one's cooking. I didn't marry into this family to be your live-in maid!"

"Damien, give it to me straight. Are you going to go bring your sister back, or do I pack my bags and take my son back to my mother's? Let whoever wants to serve this family do it, because I won't!"

This was her second major outburst since Xanthe had been taken away by Loretta.

With Xanthe gone, who was going to pick up the kids? Who was going to cook? Who was going to wait on this massive family hand and foot? For fifteen years, she hadn't lifted a single finger to help out with the chores.

The day Xanthe left, Deirdre had just gotten back from town with fresh acrylic nails. Damien told her to start the fire and cook dinner. He suggested the three daughters-in-law take turns cooking two days a week, and the three brothers would handle the seventh day.

Deirdre thought it was a joke. When she asked why, Damien told her Xanthe was getting married, and this was how the chores would be split from now on. If they didn't like it, they could just divide the estate and live separately. The two elderly parents would live with each son for three months at a time, and the brothers would split all living expenses.

"Deirdre, are you out of your mind? Xanthe is your sister-in-law. Since when does a sister-in-law serve her brothers' families her entire life?" Cathy, Xanthe's mother, snapped, her face dark with anger.

Bruce, Xanthe's father, chimed in. "Exactly! Just because she couldn't find a husband for so long, you think it's her duty to be our permanent servant? You're the eldest daughter-in-law. Start acting like it. Xanthe finally found someone at her age, shouldn't you be happy for her?"

Deirdre yelled back, "Happy my ass! Do I look happy to you? She wasn't just serving me. For fifteen years, you two have been more than happy to sit back and let your own daughter wait on you hand and foot!"

"Alright, enough. This meeting isn't about pointing fingers. It's about figuring out who is taking care of Mom and Dad, and who is doing the cooking, cleaning, and laundry. My wife is pregnant. She's in her first trimester and needs rest, so she's exempt from chores for now."

"Our family has already done more than enough for her. If she keeps serving us, it's not like she won't be rewarded. What do you think, Damien?"

Damien's face darkened. Before he could respond, his father yelled, "That's enough! Your mother and I hear you loud and clear. None of you daughters-in-law actually want Xanthe to get married. You just want her to stay here and serve you until you're old!"

"When did this family lose all sense of shame and decency? Damien, stop talking. We're splitting the estate. Everyone fends for themselves. And forcing a live-in husband on her? Do you hear yourselves? If you can think like that, what about the man? What about his family?"

"Stop being so calculating. Xanthe stayed because she couldn't have kids and couldn't get married, but she wasn't just sitting around being useless. She served you all for fifteen years! You are her brothers and sisters-in-law! How has she ever wronged you?"

Bruce was heartbroken. Because his daughter couldn't have children, she had become unmarriageable and lost dignity. Taking care of the house had been her way of making up for it. Now that she finally had a chance to get married, her own family was trying to drag her down. Did she owe them her life?