Chapter 27
Chapter 27: Luc’s Stomach Disorder
Luc arrived in the Back Bay, accompanied by his mother, Jane, and his sister, Soraya. As soon as they entered the house, they acted as if they owned the
place, causing a commotion.
“Luc. I’m hungry, Soraya announced
“Soraya wash your hands first“Luc replied.
“Mayline what’s there to eat? Hurry up, Soraya is hungry! When is dinner starting?” Soraya continued
Mayline, the housekeeper, quickly set aside her tasks in the kitchen to greet them “Madam, Miss, you’re here *
“Where’s Emma?” Luc wondered aloud, unable to believe she hadn’t come down to greet them.
“Mayline are you home alone?” he asked
Mayline nodded, “Yes, madam”
Luc’s expression remained neutral, but a shadow of concern flickered in his eyes. He loosened his cufflinks and glanced at his watch. Seven in the evening So. Emma wasn’t coming back today.
“Mom, I’m going upstairs first” Luc stated
“What for? Isn’t it almost time for dinner?” Jane asked.
“Madam, bring up the food right away.” Mayline assured.
Mayline hadn’t anticipated the mother–daughter duo’s sudden visit to Back Bay. Usually, their trips were planned meticulously Judging by their imitated expressions, she feared they were there to confront Emma again. Thankfully, Emma wasn’t home; otherwise, she would have faced their wrath once more. Mayline didn’t particularly like Jane and Soraya. In her opinion, a grown man shouldn’t need his mother and sister meddling in his life
Once upstairs, Luc opened the door to his room, which was exactly as he had left it the night before–cold and uninviting. His eyes darkened, and he
clenched his fists, the tension evident in his posture.
He attempted to call Emma, but heard only. The number you dialed is temporarily out of service,” followed by a series of beeps. Frustrated, he scrolled through his contacts, realizing he didn’t have Emma’s parents‘ numbers. He regretted not asking for them sooner, it would have been useful to have them.
“Luc, dinner is ready Jane called from downstairs.
“Mom, I’m coming down” he replied
The three of them gathered around the dinner table. After Mayline served them, she retreated to the kitchen. Jane and Soraya’s faces had come to confront Emma, but without her presence, it felt like rehearsing a play without an audience.
Luc’s discomfort grew as he took a few bites of his meat, his stomach beginning to ache again. He rubbed his abdomen, frowning.
“Luc, what’s wrong?” Jane asked, concern in her voice
“Mom, I’m fine. Just my usual stomachache.” he replied
“Didn’t you say Emma cured your stomach issues? Why is it acting up again? Does she even care about you?” Jane pressed.
s were tense. They
Mayline, overhearing Jane’s comments, felt a surge of sympathy for Emma. Yes, the ailment had been managed, but it was unreasonable to expect someone to be perfect especially in a new environment like Boston.
“Mom, I’ve been saying it all along, Emma doesn’t care for my brother. She’s only after his money and status. Now that she realizes she can’t gain anything. she’s lost interest, Soraya chimed in
“Soraya, that’s not how it is.” Luc started.
“Luc, you’re still defending her? She’s shown her true colors now that she can’t benefit from you,” Soraya interrupted.
A loud crash came from the kitchen. A plate had fallen. Mayline’s voice followed. I’m sorry, I accidentally broke a plate.”
Soraya stood, her anger palpable “Mayine, those plates are imported from Italy. Breaking one leaves the set incomplete. They cost around ten thousand
dollars–more than your two months‘ salary!
Mayline’s face paled “Miss Taylor, I didn’t do it on purpose.”
Before she could finish, Soraya cut her off “Regardless of intention, you broke it, and you must compensate
Tm sorry, Moss Taylor, but the plate I broke was mine.” Mayline replied, standing her ground
Soraya hesitated, about to retort when Luc intervened. “Mayline, Soraya is young and doesn’t understand Please don’t take it personally.”
Young? At 23, she was old enough to be marned. Mayline raised an eyebrow, questioning Soraya’s maturity
She felt a coldness in her heart. It was often said that wealth brought better manners, yet the behavior of Jane and Soraya was anything but impressive.
Luc, why do you bother talking to a mere servant?” Soraya scoffed
“Soraya, could you show some respect?” Luc replied, irritated. He valued Mayline, even if he had a soft
Jane slammed her fork down. 7s it worth arguing over a servant? Let’s eat.”
spot for Emma
Mayline wondered if Emma had somehow won over Luc. Who would have thought the seemingly simple Emma could manipulate things so effectively? Jane glanced at Mayline, now cleaning up the broken plate.
my room.
Luc could only manage half his meal before he pushed his plate away. “Mom, I’m going back to my
“Luc, your stomach is acting up again. Take some medicine first. Do we have any at home? If not, I’ll send Mayline to buy some for you.”
In the past, Emma had managed all of this, even preparing his medicine in advance. Now, without her, he didn’t even know where it was kept.
“Mom, we have stomach medicine at home. It should be in one of the cabinets upstairs, go look for it,” he said
“Why don’t you call Emma and ask where it is? Can you believe your stomach? And where is she? She doesn’t seem to care about you at all. I honestly don’t
understand why you married her,” Jane continued, her frustration evident.
Luc ignored her and headed upstairs. He had already tried calling Emma, but her phone was out of service.
Mayline, listening from the kitchen, decided to call Emma herself to find out where the medicine was. She wanted to avoid further conflict in the house and
prevent Jane from taking her anger out on Emma. It was unfair that every time Luc felt unwell, Emma was blamed.
She cleaned up the kitchen and moved away from the dining table, heading toward the garden. Pulling out her phone, she dialed Emma’s number. After a few rings. Emma answered.
“Emma, it’s Mayline. Mrs. Taylor and Miss Taylor are here, and Dr. Taylor’s stomach is acting up again. Do you know where his medicine is?”
“The stomach medicine is in the second drawer of the bedside table, in the medicine box” Emma replied. “You can tell Luc.”
“Okay. Emma, when are you coming back?” Mayline asked, hoping to suggest she stay away for a while to avoid the family’s hostility.
“I’m staying in Brookline for a few days. If anything happens, please call me Emma said.
There wasn’t much left to pack–just some clothes and luggage in Back Bay. Emma planned to retrieve her belongings soon and leave, feeling increasingly unnecessary around Luc.
“Alright,” Mayline replied, relieved. It was better if Emma didn’t return, at least
t for now
Meanwhile, Lue, standing on the upstairs patio, overheard Mayline’s conversation with Emma. He realized Emma didn’t plan to come back soon and,
despite knowing about his stomach issues, didn’t seem eager to return.
His expression turned icy. Anger surged within him. His grip on the patio railing tightened, then loosened, then tightened again. While his call had gone
unanswered. Mayline’s had gotten through. Had Emma intentionally blocked his number?
