Chapter 3
"Don't speak of my daughter in such manner, Agnes," Elizabeth's voice, filled with anger but tinged with a hint of meekness, cut through the tension.
"Or what?" Agnes retorted defiantly.
Judith, unable to contain her frustration, charged towards the door. "Don't speak to my mother like that, you witch!" However, her bold move was met with a stinging slap from her stepmother, leaving her momentarily shocked and holding her cheek. She turned to her mother, whose eyes mirrored her own wide-eyed astonishment.
Before Elizabeth could interject, a male figure, Vincent, emerged, seemingly around Judith's age. "Mum?" he called out, clearly distressed by the chaos unfolding in front of him. "What's going on here?"
"Nothing much, Vincent, just teaching your half-sister never to raise her voice at—" Agnes began, but her words were interrupted as the door opposite Elizabeth's room swung open violently, revealing a balding Robert in his nightwear. He appeared shaken, his trembling hands betraying the turmoil within him.
Having just ended a frightening phone call, Robert's worry shifted as he scanned the room for Judith. Ignoring the oppressive atmosphere, his eyes locked onto Judy's tear-filled gaze.
"Judith, have you thought about what I said to you?" he rushed to ask.
"What?" she barely managed to whisper, disbelief etched on her face.
"There's no time; you have to marry Charles," he blurted out, lacking any preamble.
Judith was stunned, the audacity of his demand hitting her like a physical blow. Anguish flooded her as she turned to her mother, tears pooling in her eyes. In that instant, her grief overwhelmed her resolve, and she fled the room, pushing past the others gathered at the entrance without meeting their accusatory stares.
Retreating to her own room, Judith slammed the door shut with a force that echoed through the hall, locking herself away from the chaos. Collapsing on her bed, she allowed her tears to flow freely, the weight of her distress pouring out as she faced the overwhelming emotions that had consumed her.
In her sanctuary, surrounded by the silence of her room, she couldn't process the whirlwind of events—the conflict with her stepmother, her father's callous proposition, and the sense of betrayal that suffocated her. Alone, with only her sorrow, Judith felt lost, trapped between familial obligations and her desire for autonomy. She closed her eyes, seeking solace in the darkness, away from the harsh realities that awaited her.
Shamelessly, her father had pursued her, banging on the locked door. All Judith desired was a family filled with love. Having just received her certificate from the fashion institution where she had apprenticed, she was eager to share her achievement with her mother, hoping to see her smile genuinely. Yet, the troubling people surrounding her continued to interfere, leaving her in tears as she questioned why her mother had chosen this difficult life for both of them. Deep down, she hoped that tomorrow would bring better circumstances.
Agnes, feeling pleased with the events, walked away, her son trailing behind, sympathetic towards the other two involved in the tumult. Meanwhile, Elizabeth stood outside her daughter's room, watching her husband relentlessly pound on the door. Tears she had long suppressed began to flow down her cheeks. "Hope you're aware of the kind of father you're becoming for our only child, Robert," she murmured, retreating back into her room.
The following day, Judith awoke early, the emotional turmoil of the previous night still weighing heavily on her chest. She shuffled to the bathroom, determined to get ready and leave the house as soon as possible. Today was a significant day for her, and she refused to let her family dampen her spirits. The sky remained dark, signifying it was not yet dawn, and she knew better than to linger until everyone else woke up. With her stepmother and father, who seemed to be losing his grip on reality, she doubted she would have any peace at home.
Once dressed, she grabbed her purse and the car key that the butler had returned to her while she was with her mother the night before. Quietly, she tiptoed down the corridor to the downstairs area, where a few maids were busily going about their morning routines. She made her way to her car parked outside and drove off, unaware that someone was watching her from the attic of the house.
In that moment, Judith felt a mixture of urgency and hope. Despite the chaos surrounding her, she was determined to embrace her dreams and aspirations. As she pulled away from the tumultuous environment, she carried with her the hope that the day ahead might finally offer the smile she desperately sought from her mother and the validation of her hard work. Unbeknownst to her, the complexities of her family dynamics would continue to weave an uncertain path ahead.
Judith drove for about an hour, reaching 7:00 AM. With plenty of time before her competition at 3:00 PM, she felt uncertain about how to spend the hours ahead. She considered calling her best friend, Alice NIMO, but quickly dismissed the idea, knowing Alice would be preoccupied later in the day. Reflecting on her earlier confrontation with a stranger who nearly hit her, Judith felt foolish but relieved that it was unlikely they would meet again.
Deciding to ease her mind, she cranked up the music in her car and headed to Mama Kate's coffee shop, Alice's mother's establishment on the city's outskirts. Mama Kate, in her early 50s, had a striking fashion sense that belied her age. Judith was pleasantly surprised to find Mama Kate opening the shop so early, as the staff had not yet arrived.
"Mama," Judy greeted her with a bright smile, rushing into her open arms for a warm hug. "Good morning!"
"My sweet girl," Mama Kate responded, embracing Judith tightly. Unlike Alice, who tended to be rough around the edges, Judith was ladylike and gentle—a complete contrast that Mama Kate cherished. She loved both girls for their unique personalities.
"Congratulations! Alice told me you've gotten your certificate!" Mama Kate exclaimed, pride evident in her voice as she beamed at Judith.
Meanwhile, at the Wilson residence, their butler was on a phone call, his tone serious. "She seems safe for now, but we don't know for how long," he reported gravely. The elderly voice on the other end responded, "Let me know when he starts acting funny." After the call ended with a beep, the butler remained still, holding the phone close to his ear as he watched Judith's car disappear into the neighborhood. The frown that had been etched on his face since she left him in the garage deepened.
As Judith enjoyed her coffee and the warmth of Mama Kate's conversation, she remained blissfully unaware of the concern surrounding her. The butler's unease hinted at hidden dangers that lingered in the background, casting shadows over Judith's seemingly tranquil morning. For now, she sought solace in the comfort of familiar faces and the thrill of upcoming achievements, but the underlying tensions threatened to disrupt her peace. As she savored each moment, unaware of what was brewing around her, the day held both promise and unease.