Poppy's heart clenched. She knew it already, but hearing it out loud twisted her insides.
After everything she'd been through, the thought of being in another marriage made her furious. But, she remained calm, silently convincing herself it was a good thing.
Somehow, this union made her close to the people that betrayed her. They had to be if she wanted to exert revenge.
James frowned. "Grandma... You've always nudged me to ask you for anything but I've been reluctant about it. Can I make a request now?"
The Old woman nodded, giving him a go-ahead.
"I ask you reconsider my Uncle's marriage to this... girl. Uncle Alaric deserves the best, and keeping her tied to him sounds like a bad idea."
He held Sarah's hand softly. "I cannot let my fiance or unborn baby be in the same space with a mad woman who almost ended their lives. You have to do something about this, Grandma."
Isabel quickly added, "He's right, Grandma. She cannot be a part of us. We cannot let the woman who attacked James and Sarah on their first meeting be a part of this household. What if she attacks them again?"
"I know you want Alaric married," Monica joined in, "But keeping her will only bring disaster. You must cancel this marriage before it's too late. If Alaric remains married to her, it will be a huge mistake that stains this family forever."
While all the Langfords on the table were in support of this and wanted to change the Old woman's mind, Richard, Evelyn, and Grace almost fell into panic.
Richard quickly stood up and bowed his head.
"Old Mrs. Langford," his voice trembled slightly, "I have heard of your wisdom long before setting my eyes on you today. It is truly an honor... an honor I cannot describe in words. Please, forgive me if I dare speak out of turn."
The Old woman's sharp eyes flickered to him.
Richard swallowed hard and forced a smile. "Bella… yes, she is troublesome. She has been nothing but a burden to us. But I beg you, do not be too hasty. Give her another chance. I assure you, she will kneel here, before you all, beg for your forgiveness, and accept any punishment given to her."
He looked at Poppy with warning in his eyes. "Bella, do it now! Get on your knees and beg them. Show Old Mrs. Langford and everyone here that you are sorry!"
Evelyn also stood to her feet and said with an anxious, yet sweet voice: "Yes, Old Mrs. Langford. Please don't hold her mistakes against her. She is foolish, but she can learn. We will make sure she does."
The room went still with everyone's eyes falling on Poppy.
That made Poppy smile inwardly. She enjoyed the attention.
She stood to her feet and walked carefully to Old Mrs. Langford.
Everyone's eyes narrowed as she stood before the old woman. For a moment, the Langfords doubted she was going to kneel.
Even the Highlands held their breath, hoping she doesn't pull the same stunt as yesterday.
But Poppy slowly lowered herself to the floor.
A smug smile grew on James's face. He couldn't believe she would actually kneel. That stirred something in his heart.
From the first time he set his eyes on her, there was this attraction that bloomed for her. But she went psycho on him.
Now that he knew she could be tamed, there was no way he was going to let her remain married to his mad uncle, who couldn't take proper care of her.
He must sever their ties by all means, and also find a way of keeping her all to himself, even if it involves making the Old woman punish her brutally.
Richard, Evelyn, and Grace's face lit up, but the other Langfords still stared at Poppy scornfully, especially Claudia.
Poppy kept a guilty face. If there was anything she'd learned from her previous life, it was to never confront your enemies without a plan. You had to work smart.
It was finally time to put her acting skills to test.
She finally lifted her head. "Old Mrs. Langford... I know I made mistakes. And I don't run away from mistakes. I take responsibility for them. What I did yesterday was truly unacceptable. There is no excuse to justify it. And believe me when I say it'd been on my mind since yesterday."
"But..." She looked at James and Sarah, "I only want to say what I did wasn't because I wanted to. It wasn't even because I wanted to shame this family. It was because when I looked at them, I saw..."
Her lips quivered as she turned to the old woman. "...the faces of the people who once bullied me until I almost ended my life."
Everyone on the table fell into confusion, including the old woman.
Poppy's eyes glistened as if she was fighting tears, even if she was smiling inside. "I snapped and lost control. It wasn't right, but it was pain that broke out."
"Old Mrs. Langford, I may be speaking out of turn, but from your experiences, I'm sure you are the only one here who understands the pain that comes from a trauma you're still struggling with." A tear slipped down her cheek.
"I-I just couldn't help it..." Another tear escaped her eyes.
The room went quiet.
Then, the Old woman passed Poppy her handkerchief, shocking everyone, including Poppy.
For a strict woman, she couldn't believe a few tears would break her.
James's smile faded immediately and his jaw clenched.
The rest of the Langfords exchanged dark glances.
Even Richard, Evelyn, and Grace were shocked, but Richard jumped at the opportunity.
"She admits her fault, Old Mrs. Langford. Poppy may sometimes act out of place, but she only needs guidance. She will learn, I promise!"
"Yes, Old Mrs. Langford," Evelyn stepped in. "It wasn't madness, it was... trauma. Please, don't let one mistake ruin her future."
Old Mrs. Langford frowned. "Are you trying to say it's okay for your daughter to attack just anyone because they look like her bullies?"
Richard stuttered, "N-no... That's not it—"
"Then what are you trying to say, Mr. Highland?" Claudia quickly jumped at the opportunity. "As far as we know, James and Sarah are not your daughter's bullies. I'm sure they look nothing like them either!"
"What if my daughter-in-law had lost her unborn child, or worse, my son was killed? Would you take responsibility for it, Mr. Highland?"
When Richard said nothing, Old Mrs. Langford's frown deepened.
Claudia turned to Poppy. "And you..! How dare you speak about responsibilities and always owning up to your mistakes when you're giving excuses for your insolent behavior by blaming it on a trauma?!"
"I-I..." Poppy stammered.
"Can you see this, Grandma? She's trying to play victim when your great grandson and daughter-in-law were almost beaten to death! This girl is not only impertinent, but also manipulative! How can we let someone like this into our home?"
Old Mrs. Langford's eyes became cold.
Richard quickly spoke before things got worse. "Old Mrs. Langford, please don't be angry. My daughter is truly sorry. She's just confused. Give her one more chance to prove herself. I beg you."
"Enough," the old woman warned. "Let the girl speak for herself!"
Richard froze.
Everyone's gaze shifted back to Poppy.
For a few long seconds, she said nothing. Her lashes lowered, and her hands trembled lightly on her lap.
James smirked. "See? She has nothing to say. She's just pretending again, Granny. And even if she does, she's just going to try to manipulate you again!"
But before anyone could agree, Poppy raised her head slowly with calm eyes. "I would never try to manipulate you, Old Mrs. Langford. And I know you don't believe me now, but please hear me out."
Her soft tone made everyone quiet down.
"I didn't want to bring this up because it's embarrassing. But the person who bullied me back then… the one who made me want to die… there was this mark on his chest that showed from his unbuttoned shirt whenever he lowered himself to hit me..."
Her lips quivered. "It's a small burn mark… shaped like a crescent moon. I could never forget it."
The air shifted instantly.
James froze. His heart skipped, and he could feel the blood drain from his face.
How did Poppy know about the mark on his chest?!
...
At the far end of the estate, in a quiet, isolated building, Alaric sat alone in his dark room. The only light came from the glow of his screen, which casted sharp shadows across his face.
He leaned back on the couch, with one earphone in, and his long fingers tapping lightly against the armrest as his eyes flicked between several camera feeds showing the garden outside.
Everyone's movement and words at the dinner table played out before him.
But when the camera zoomed in on Poppy and he saw the faint smirk on her lips, his eyes darkened.