CHAPTER 4 Duties of a Lady
The Stephen family's evening ball ended, and the nobles left the magnificent manor. In just a moment, the bustling space became strangely quiet. Justin sat in the room, his gaze fixed on the glass of white wine in his hand. In his mind, only the silhouette of the girl with the scar on her face existed. The appearance of that girl, really made him feel excited.
"Perhaps, she is the right person."
Justin spoke softly to himself. In a bunch of rich ladies, trying to attract attention with bottomless greed, Amanda was like a flower in the night. So peaceful that it makes one feel lonely. The daughter-in-law of the Stephen family would only be Amanda. Because, a girl who doesn't have a family behind her, is easier to take advantage of than others. The more Justin thought about it, the more reasonable he felt. Taking advantage of a girl like Amanda, plus the fact that her relationship with the old lady is very good. Surely, he will achieve his goal.
"Damn it, why would you leave first? Where's your sister? How could you leave her there alone?"
The sound of the whip tearing through the wind, falling on Amanda's body, along with the incessant cursing. Lady Mohini was frantic, hitting her body one after the other. She shouldn't have let an incompetent daughter like Amanda come to Stephen's party. If she hadn't brought Amanda, Diana wouldn't have been left alone among the ladies, ready to insult their family. Diana didn't deserve to hear those words, the one to bear the humiliation, could only be Amanda.
"I'm damned! What do you mean by leaving early, leaving your sister at the party? Do you want Diana to hear insults from those nobles? I knew it right away, you're not a nice person at all."
Another whip fell, causing Amanda's shoulder to bleed. She couldn't justify herself, she could only feel pain in her throat. She didn't mean to leave Diana alone at the party, and she wasn't as evil as her mother had said. It's just, she couldn't bear the humiliation of the rich ladies, so she just returned.
"Mom, what are you doing? Why did you hit Amanda like that?"
The large door swung open, and Diana quickly ran over, between her mother and sister. She didn't know why Amanda had come back so early, or why their mother wanted to hit Amanda. But whatever the reason, Amanda didn't deserve the humiliation of her own mother.
Lady Mohini saw the safe return of her beloved daughter, and she immediately threw the bloody whip on the ground, hurriedly hugging Diana to check if she was okay. That concern made Amanda feel heartbroken. She has never been hugged by her mother once, nor questioned and cared for. Because right from the moment she was born, she was abandoned by her own mother. Amanda struggled to stand, it seemed that this place no longer needed her presence. No one wanted to help Amanda either, they were afraid she would spread bad luck to them. Amanda suppressed the pain, she managed to drag her bleeding body back to the shabby wooden house, far from the main house of the Mohini family.
From the age of five, Amanda was brought here to live by her mother. She was alone here, with no one to help her. At first, Amanda did not understand why she had to suffer this situation. After all, she is also the daughter of a prestigious family, moreover, the eldest daughter of the family. It's impossible to understand in any way the reason why Lady Mohini wanted to get rid of Amanda like that. But, by the time that tragedy happened, Amanda already knew why. From the abandonment of her parents to the burn scar that destroyed her face, causing her to lose her voice. All because of fear of the people who gave her this life.
In the cold wooden house, Amanda herself bandaged the wounds on her body. Her movements were very skilled, after all, she had done it many times herself. Because no one cares, I can only do everything myself. What would happen if the person mentioned in the prophecy was not Amanda, but Diana? Will the person who enjoys the boundless love of her parents be her, not the twin sister?
[Amanda, what are you thinking? Why are you so selfish? Diana loves you excessively. How can you have such despicable thoughts?]
Amanda curled up in bed, constantly blaming herself for having such thoughts. Diana was so good to her, the only friend she had in all her life. Yet, she dared to have such disgusting thoughts about her own sister.
Perhaps, Amanda's life was just like that. She would just be an unrecognized young lady of the Mohini clan, abandoned by her own family. But, life's crossroads probably do not want to ignore anyone. Even if, that person is an ugly girl like Amanda
[You want me to accept this offer?]
Amanda used sign language to ask her mother back. Lady Mohini waited for the butler beside her to convey Amanda's words, then nodded.
"Yes. You'll be the one to come to Justin's blind date."
Lady Mohini once again affirmed. She's trying not to get angry at the stupid daughter she gave birth to. Originally, such a good position should have belonged to Diana but Justin was a strange man. She had heard countless rumors about the second son of the Stephen family. In fact, Lady Mohini herself did not want Diana to take the risk. But, this opportunity is too good. As long as she can successfully become a daughter-in-law of the Stephen family, her mother's family will certainly enjoy many benefits.
[Why not Diana? With such a good opportunity, you wouldn't volunteer to give it to me, would you?]
Amanda carefully asked again. To be the daughter-in-law of the Stephen family is the dream of any girl in this country. Although Amanda was aware that Diana did not approve of her parents' arranged marriage, she thought it would be a good opportunity to attend Justin Stephen's official blind date. Amanda knew her mother too well, so she cautiously asked again.
"I want you to go there, so be obedient. Amanda, I tell you, you are only allowed to succeed. If you fail, I'll never let you see Diana again."