Things had not been the same at the Powell residence since Zennah left her own family to marry Simon. The marriage had rapidly deteriorated; Simon either stayed out late or spent his nights squandering the family's remaining capital in bars.
"Look at this evil witch," Simon's sister, C, hissed as Zennah walked into the living room. "You seduced my brother, and now look where we are—robbed of everything. You single-handedly brought the entire Powell dynasty to its knees."
"To think she has the audacity to live here, married, without a shred of shame," a lady—one of C's friends—remarked loudly. "Does she even care where her husband spends his nights?"
"Why would she care?" the sister-in-law chimed in. "The only thing she's ever cared about is the next payout."
Zennah took a deep breath, her hands trembling. "Please, C, I don't want to hold grudges. I am your sister-in-law. Can you show me a modicum of respect? I'm not asking for much—I just want to be left out of your friends' gossip."
"Respect?" C laughed, a shrill, mocking sound. "You want respect from me? You abandoned a good man to chase a 'rich' one, and ever since you stepped into this family, what value have you added? We are all struggling to restore the Powell name, and here you are—eating, sleeping, and glued to your phone. Are you fishing for another wealthy son to trap?"
"Stop!" Zennah's voice rose, sharp and uncharacteristic. "I have tolerated these insults for too long. Who said I haven't contributed? I have been the one funding this household! I pay for the staff, I cover the bills—the 'investor' everyone talks about was me. So, tell me, what exactly do you contribute to this house?"
"Stop right there!" The mother-in-law strode into the room, face twisted in rage. "Who gave a servant permission to talk back to my daughter? So what if you invested money? Aren't you just paying back the losses you caused us? You have no shame. I'm attending events this week, and I need a beautiful, expensive dress. Bring me the latest maxi design."
"Mother, I barely have any money left. I used the last of my savings for the staff's wages and—"
"Are you calling us a burden?" the mother-in-law cut her off. "Are you calling us money-sucking demons?"
"No, Mother, I just meant—"
"You hear that?" the mother-in-law shouted to the room. "She's blaming us! I'm calling Simon."
Zennah broke down. "Mother, please, don't call him. Just talk to him for me. Tell him to come home. He is married, for heaven's sake! I am exhausted by this loveless charade."
"You want my son to waste his youth on a cursed woman like you?" the mother-in-law sneered, leaning in close. "Did you really think my son loved you? You were nothing but a bet between him and his friends. You were so naive that you actually broke off your engagement to chase a fantasy. You were never loved, Zennah."
"Yes," C added with a cruel smirk. "It was all a bet."
Zennah felt her world crumble. She stumbled to her room, desperate for an anchor, and dialed her mother's number.
Beep... Beep...
"Hello, Mommy," Zennah sobbed.
"Hello, sweetie! How are you and Simon? When will I hear the good news of a grandchild?" her mother chirped, ignoring Zennah's tone entirely. "I need 100,000 dollars, Zennah. I need a new dress to visit you so your husband's family doesn't look down on the Avery name."
"Mommy... is that all you care about? You didn't even ask how I am," Zennah whispered, her heart turning to ice.
"I know you're fine! Your husband is rich, isn't he? Stop being unfilial! If you don't send that money, I'll kill myself and tell the whole world you abandoned your mother!"
Zennah hung up. The realization hit her like a physical blow: she was completely, utterly alone.
Suddenly, her bedroom door burst open. Simon entered, a beautiful woman clinging to his arm.
"Zennah," Simon said coldly. "I need the room tonight for myself and my guest. Go sleep on the couch."
"Simon, have you lost your mind? You're bringing a prostitute into our matrimonial bed and telling me to sleep on the couch?"
Slap! The woman at Simon's side struck her.
"How dare you call me that when I'm here to help your husband?" the woman sneered.
Zennah looked at Simon, expecting him to defend her, but he just stared, indifferent. "You brought this on yourself," he said.
Something inside Zennah snapped. The grief vanished, replaced by a cold, sharp clarity. "Fine," she said softly. "Sleep here. I'm going downstairs for a drink."
She didn't argue. She didn't cry. She simply walked out of the house, leaving behind the wreckage of her marriage, never looking back.
Four Months Later
"Congratulations, Miss Zennah. You are three weeks pregnant," the doctor said.
Zennah stared at him in horror. "That's impossible. I divorced my husband four months ago. I haven't been with a man since."
"Well, miss, you are pregnant, and the fetus is healthy. Take care of yourself."
Zennah left the clinic in a daze. Three weeks... She remembered one night, a blackout at a club, but she had felt fine afterward—no marks, no aches. She arrived at her sister's apartment, trembling.
"Zennah? What's wrong?" her sister asked.
"I'm three weeks pregnant, but I haven't been with anyone. Who is the father?"
Her sister looked at her, her expression unreadable. "You are going to be a mother. And I am the only father this child will ever need."
Back at the Powell Estate
The house was in chaos. The money Zennah had "invested" had vanished into a ghost account, and the divorce papers had been filed months ago, unbeknownst to them.
"Son," the mother-in-law screamed, "when did you sign these?"
The Old Master Powell stood in the center of the living room, leaning on his cane. "My grandson," he said, his voice trembling with disappointment, "Zennah actually loved you. But you and this toxic family pushed her away until there was nothing left to give."
"Grandfather!" C shouted. "That woman is the reason we are ruined! She's the one who destroyed us!"
But for the first time, no one was listening. The investor was gone, the wife was gone, and the Powell family was finally facing the silence of their own making.