Uninvited Guests

The sound of loud footsteps echoed through the hallway of Scovia’s house, followed by a sharp, furious voice.

“Scovia! I know you’re home, so get down here this instant! How dare you! How could you do such a thing to my son? Today, you’d better give me a good reason—an explanation for your shameful behavior!”

The middle-aged woman stormed into the living room, her presence demanding attention. Her eyes blazed with fury as she scanned the space, expecting to find Scovia cowering before her.

A younger voice tried to intervene. “Aunt, please calm down. Let’s not make trouble for my sister. Let’s hear her out first—she might have her own reasons. After all, she has been in love with Brother Reynolds for so long,” said Kallen, Scovia’s younger cousin, her tone unusually gentle.

The older woman scoffed, glaring at Kallen. “Oh, my little Kallen, you’re so naive. You can’t be deceived by that pretty face. She’s a vixen! If only she had your elegance. I am ashamed to have a daughter-in-law like her,” she shouted, her voice shaking with anger.

Scovia, who had been watching quietly from upstairs, felt her patience running thin. This was no longer a simple misunderstanding. She decided to go downstairs, dressed casually yet elegantly, and confront the chaos herself.

“Miss, I’m sorry. We couldn’t hold them back,” Claire said, worry in her voice as she approached Scovia.

“It’s fine. Leave them to me. I can handle it,” Scovia replied calmly, her lips curved in a small, confident smile.

Reynolds’ mother, never one for subtlety, stepped forward, her eyes narrow. “You sure took your time. I thought you might be embarrassed to face me.”

Scovia lifted her chin, a trace of mockery in her tone. “Oh, forgive me, Mrs. Cormen. I thought my house had been attacked by wild animals. Who knew it was you? Or should I call you my future mother-in-law? Or is that no longer appropriate?”

Kallen’s voice shook slightly. “Scovia, you could get mad at me, insult me even, but Aunt doesn’t deserve such humiliation.”

“Shut up. Don’t make me sick with your fake concern,” Scovia snapped.

“She’s my cousin! Please, Aunt, try to understand. She didn’t mean any harm,” Kallen said softly, stepping forward.

“Kallen, don’t make excuses for her!” Mrs. Cormen snapped.

Scovia rolled her eyes. “Shut up. You are so disgusting to me with your pretensions,” she said sharply.

Mrs. Cormen, boiling with anger, raised her hand to strike, but Scovia caught it and threw it aside with ease.

“Enough, Mrs. Cormen. This is ridiculous. Don’t go overboard, Mrs. Cormen. It’s already too much,” Scovia’s voice was cold now, sharp as a knife. “Tell me, Mrs. Cormen, what right do you have to barge into my home and accuse me without evidence? Do you have proof that I did anything wrong? Or are you just here to make yourself feel powerful?” Scovia said firmly, stepping back.

“Too much? How dare you talk to me like that! The woman was trembling with fury. “How dare you! How did your family raise you? My son treated you with kindness, and you repay him with… this?” She threw a stack of photographs in front of Scovia, expecting her to crumble.

Scovia looked down at the pictures indifferently. They were carefully edited to make it look as if she had been drinking and leaving with multiple men. She knew the truth—they were fakes. Different locations, different outfits—her memory of that night was patchy, but she was certain nothing as such had happened.

“So… you came all the way here, yelling and disturbing my sleep, over some photos? She said, folding her arms and tilting her head. “And what if it’s true? What business of yours is it? Who are you to interfere in my life?” she asked evenly. “Who are you to barge into my home like this?”

“You! How dare you speak to me like that? Where are your manners? Ungrateful girl! If it weren’t for our family relationship, I wouldn’t even consider you worthy of being my daughter-in-law. You’re nothing compared to your cousin Kallen!”

Scovia crossed her arms and smirked. “Oh, I see. Since I’m not as good as her, why don’t you marry her to your beloved son instead?”

Kallen quickly stepped forward. “Cousin, please don’t get angry. Aunt didn’t mean any harm. She’s just worried about you and Brother Reynolds.”

“Ha! If you hadn’t spoken, I might have forgotten you were even here,” Scovia muttered mockingly.

“Oh no, did I do something wrong? Sister, I didn’t mean to offend you. Please, forgive me! I didn’t mean to offend you. Please, forgive me!” Kallen cried, tears streaming down her face.

“Shut up!” Scovia snapped. “When shown goodwill, be grateful and stop sticking your nose into my business.”

Scovia reprimanded sharply.

“Aunty, believe me, I don’t understand why she’s so mad at me,” Kallen wailed, her voice trembling.

“Stop pretending! Your act disgusts me,” Scovia said coldly.

Mrs. Cormen’s hands shook with fury. “You—how dare you speak to me like this!”

“I’ve had enough,” Scovia said, her voice firm and unwavering. “From this moment on, I have nothing to do with your family. Stop calling me your daughter-in-law. I have never been, and I will never be. Tell your son not to bother me again. Now, leave—before I ask someone to escort you out.”

Kallen clutched her hands together, begging. “Please, sister, don’t rush. We can talk about this—surely it’s a misunderstanding, right?”

“I said don’t call me that!” Scovia’s patience was gone. “I don’t want nightmares, and I don’t want you here anymore. Leave now, or I will make you leave forcibly.”

Mrs. Cormen huffed, giving one last glare at Scovia. “Very well. But mark my words, girl—your arrogance will cost you. Let’s see how long your family can protect you against what’s coming.”

Kallen, with a forced smile, followed Mrs Cormen out the door, shooting Scovia one last glance filled with false innocence.

Scovia didn’t respond. She kept her head held high. As the door closed behind them, the room finally fell silent. Scovia exhaled, a sense of relief washing over her.

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