The morning air was crisp and fragrant with the scent of blooming wisterias that lined the Fairchild estate. Ana, basking in the glow of her deepening relationship with Harry, walked through the garden with a gentle smile playing on her lips. But inside the grand mansion, a storm was quietly brewing.
Sasha Famazani stood by the large bay window of her private parlor, a glass of fresh citrus juice untouched in her hand. Her expression was cold, eyes narrowing as she thought back to her last conversation with Soraya. That woman had dared mock her infertility. The audacity! Sasha clenched her jaw tightly. Every insult, every jab would be returned tenfold. But she needed time… and the right tools.
A knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Come in," she said smoothly, turning to see the matriarch's trusted lady-in-waiting step into the room.
"Miss Sasha, Lady Trisha has arrived. The madame is currently receiving her in the drawing room."
A slow, calculating smile crept across Sasha's lips. Trisha Fairchild. Of course.
The matriarch's favorite niece,vain, spoiled, and filled with misguided pride. The perfect weapon.
Sasha smoothed down her dress and adjusted her expression into a warm, welcoming one. "Wonderful. Let's not keep her waiting."
Trisha Fairchild, a vision in designer silk and sky-high heels, sat on the velvet settee like a queen surveying her court. Her honey-blonde hair, perfectly curled, cascaded down her shoulders. She crossed her legs with the flair of someone who believed the world revolved around her.
"Oh, how terribly long the drive was," she whined to the matriarch, fanning herself with a diamond-studded hand fan. "Honestly, I don't know how you all live in this..."
The matriarch chuckled indulgently. "You'll get used to it, darling. Besides, I've had the west wing prepared just for you."
Just then, Ana entered the room with Kimberly who had come to visit the Old Madame. Kimberly was surprised to see Trisha there. She had no idea the newest arrival would be the infamous cousin she had only seen a handful of time when she was young.
"Cousin, you're here? It's so nice to see you again. I was gonna come see you when I'm done seeing Grandma" Trisha said, smiling falsely.
"No need" Kimberly coldly said.
Trisha glanced at Ana with a bored expression, then did a double-take. Her lips curled.
"And who is this? Your new servant?" she asked, as if she'd spotted a stain on the carpet.
Sasha chuckled.
Ana frowned.
"This is Ana Lyle," the matriarch said without looking up. "Harry's... special friend."
Trisha's eyes widened slightly. "She's Cousin Harry kept mistress here?"
"Trisha watch your words" Kimberly warned, glaring at her.
Ana, maintaining her composure,and simply said. "It's nice to meet you."
Trisha didn't respond. Instead, she tilted her head and looked Ana up and down. "You're... quite ordinary, aren't you? I expected someone more... refined."
Ana gave a polite smile. "Sometimes, simplicity is underrated."
The air thickened with tension. The matriarch, though silently amused, said nothing. Sasha, who had been quite, watched the interaction with delight flickering in her eyes.
Later, as Ana left the room, Trisha leaned closer to Sasha. "She's far too bold for someone of her background.You must've suffered a lot of grievances. The nerve of my cousin to have a kept woman"
Sasha's lips curved. "Oh, you noticed it too? Poor Harry's in over his head, but he can't see it."
Trisha sipped her tea delicately. "A woman like that could never fit into our world. She's… provincial. Someone needs to help him see reason."
Sasha's eyes glinted with satisfaction. "I couldn't agree more."
That evening, Sasha visited Trisha's suite, bearing gifts and words laced with poison.
"She's clever, I'll give her that," Sasha murmured, handing Trisha a velvet pouch of rare perfume. "But she's after more than just love. I've seen women like her before clawing their way into wealth."
Trisha arched a brow. "She doesn't even have breeding. How terribly sad."
"Cousin-in law, why did you choose such a woman?" Trisha asked. That woman was really too beautiful.
"That woman? She.... she was hired by Old Madame to be a surrogate for me and Harry but now... everything is complicated". Sasha's voice choked with emotion as tears filled her eyes, immediately igniting the young girl's pity.
"What happened?. You can tell me and I'll help you to get justice" Trisha quickly took her hand, asking her what's wrong and looking worried.
Sasha wiped her tears and laughed, "I've embarrassed myself. Don't mind me. It just that I feel really sad because ever since she came here, my relationship with Harry has turned for the worse. She's now living together with my husband" She said sadly much to Trisha's shock.
"What? She's staying at the Lake house with cousin?. How's that even possible?"
Everyone knows that the Lake house is a home to Harry and his family and is off limit to any other person. Only the servants serving there have the privilege to come and go from there.
But now her domineering and otherworldly cousin who hates the presence of other women around him has fallen into the trap of that femme fatale.
No she can't let that evil woman seduce her beloved cousin. Grabbing Sasha's hands tightly, she earnestly assured her, "Cousin-in-law shouldn't worry about that bitch. I'll make sure that she runs away from here with her tails tucked in between her legs".
"But I don't want you to get into trouble. You better let go of any thoughts you have. It's okay. I can endure another woman stealing my husband's love from me. I can endure it all for my love". Sasha cried sadly.
Although, she sounded as if she was dissuading Trisha from her plans but in actual facts, she was adding more fuel to the flames. "Cousin-in-law shouldn't worry. I'm the most favored in my family and no one can do anything to me. I'll surely help you get justice". Trisha said proudly.
"Oh thank you so much for willing to stand up for me". Sasha hugged her with gratitude but Sasha was unable to see her triumphant smile.
She has always known that the last born Miss of the second branch was spoiled since birth and grew up arrogant and proud. She can't tolerate a single grain of sand in her eye and will not hesitate to get revenge on anyone who offended her. She was gullible and easy to manipulate into taking action against Ana.
Since she can't touch that bitch for now then she'll use other's hand to get the job done. Now, she just has to sit and watch how Trisha will turn Ana's life a living hell.
And just like that, Sasha's plan gained a powerful, if unknowing, accomplice.
As the night deepened and the estate lights dimmed, Ana stood on her balcony, unaware that a new shadow had joined the ever-growing list of enemies lurking in her path.
In the days that followed,Harry seemed very busy with work.
He left early and returned very late. Ana just stayed in her room or visit Kimberly for a talk. Harry had a studio created for her so she could paint art when bored. That's something she enjoys and makes her happy.
A soft breeze stirred the curtains in Ana's room, but even that gentle motion couldn't chase away the tension that clung to the walls like dust. Ana sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers nervously picking at the hem of her silk robe. Across from her, the doctor packed away his instruments in stiff silence.
He finally turned and gave her a polite, unreadable smile. "You're not with child," he said simply.
Ana nodded, not surprised in the least. Of course I am not, she thought to herself. Howcould l be, when Harry hasn't even touched her in that way. At most they kiss and cuddle together?
The door creaked open and Lady Mina stepped inside, followed closely by the old madame herself, regal in posture but with furrowed brows betraying her mounting anxiety.
"Well?" the old madame asked, her voice clipped, eyes sharp and expectant.
The doctor bowed slightly. "She is not pregnant, Madame."
The silence that followed was heavy. The old madame's lips tightened, and she gave a slow, frustrated nod. "Leave us," she ordered.
Once the doctor had left the room, she turned toward Ana, her piercing eyes scanning the young woman with undisguised disappointment. Ana avoided her gaze, her face carefully blank.
"We are nearly four months into this contract," the old madame muttered, beginning to pace slowly. "It shouldn't take this long."
"My Lady," Lady Mina interjected gently, "Harry isn't exactly… the easiest man to get close to. You know how cold and distant he can be. Give it time. Once they're truly comfortable with each other, things will happen."
Ana glanced down at her hands, her heart thudding softly against her ribs. Comfortable? She and Harry are very comfortable with each other. Intense dinner dates in the garden, passionate glances, the joyous laughter during their movie nights. Yet Intimacy still felt like a distant world neither of them dared to cross into.
"He is our only chance at continuing the bloodline," the old madame said bitterly. "There must be an heir. It is his duty."
A soft chuckle sounded from the doorway. Sasha stepped in, arms folded, an unmistakable smirk on her face. "Well, it seem Miss Ana couldn't attract Harry's gaze either. What a shame that the matter of an heir is still unfulfilled"
Lady Mina cast her a sharp look, but Sasha only shrugged, clearly pleased. "Maybe the heir prefers to keep her as decoration."
Ana's jaw clenched, but she said nothing. She didn't need to. The satisfaction on Sasha's face was loud enough. The absence of a pregnancy, for her, was a small victory in whatever silent game she thought she was playing.
The old madame turned toward Ana again, her expression unreadable. "You should try harder," she said simply. "Time is slipping."
As they all left the room, one by one, Ana remained still. Her fingers trembled just slightly in her lap, but her eyes stayed dry, calm. She looked toward the window where the morning light was fading behind a passing cloud.
Try harder? she thought bitterly. What they don't know is... Harry hasn't even begun to try.