Chapter 3
Jennifer looked away.
My mother finally answered.
“Oh, sweetheart, Emma doesn't enjoy these formal gatherings.”
Emma's fingers tightened around mine.
I looked directly at my wife.
“Is that true?”
She whispered, “No.”
The room became painfully quiet.
Then Michael scoffed.
“Daniel, seriously? You're going to ruin the evening over a chair?”
I looked at him.
“No, Michael.”
I pulled out the chair at the head of the table.
The chair my mother had been occupying.
Then I turned toward Emma.
“Sit down, sweetheart.”
She hesitated.
“Daniel, that's your seat.”
I smiled gently.
“It's ours.”
Emma slowly sat.
My mother looked offended.
“Daniel, what's gotten into you?”
I remained standing beside my wife.
“I'll tell you what's gotten into me.”
I gestured toward the enormous table.
“Five years ago, I left this country to build something for my wife and our future. I trusted the three of you to take care of this property, not to take ownership of it.”
Michael's smile disappeared.
I continued.
“I sent money every month. I paid the mortgage, maintenance, insurance, and household expenses. I paid for staff and security. And apparently, I paid for parties where my wife wasn't even allowed to eat.”
Jennifer crossed her arms.
“That's ridiculous.”
“Is it?”
“Yes! Emma is exaggerating.”
I looked at the caterers standing nervously near the kitchen.
“Then perhaps someone here can explain why the lady of this house was cleaning pots outside while everyone else was drinking champagne.”
Nobody answered.
Finally, an older woman in a catering uniform stepped forward.
“Sir?”
I turned.
“Yes?”
She swallowed.
“My name is Rosa. I've worked several events here.”
My mother stiffened.
“Rosa, this is a family matter.”
Rosa ignored her.
“Sir, Mrs. Emma isn't treated like the lady of this house.”
The silence deepened.
“She cleans after every party. Sometimes until three in the morning. Your sister tells the staff not to help her.”
Jennifer slammed her glass onto the table.
“That's a lie!”
Rosa looked at her calmly.
“Then perhaps you'd like me to show Mr. Daniel the videos.”
My heart began pounding.
“Videos?”
Rosa nodded.
“I've kept recordings because I was afraid someone would eventually deny what was happening.”
For the first time, I saw genuine panic cross my mother's face.
And I realized the humiliation I had witnessed outside was only the surface.
There was much more beneath it.
CHAPTER 4 — THE SECRET IN MY OWN HOUSE
That night, I took Emma upstairs.