I was already feeling embarrassed when the lady with dark brown hair walked in. her hairs were tightly braided in a bun, her small forehead was looking smaller due to many lines of anger and her dark eyes were brooding. Her fair pear-shaped face was completely dark, and her red lips were turned into a thin line.

Her face that was beautifully painted was looking rather ugly due to all the anger she had in it. she stood in front of me as her eyes bored hole in my body.

“What kind of behaviour was that Abigail, you should behave according to your age, you are 15, not 5, running around like a kid. And you cried so much as if you are facing a lot of grievances.

I had always taken more care of you than Isabella and yet you are trying to prove me a bad mother.” there were tears forming in the corner of her eyes and I felt more embarrassed.

“I didn’t mean to cry mother, I apologise for my mistakes,” I said, bowing my head a bit.

I got emotional, it was something I had no control over, for them, father returned in a week or month but for me, it had been years. All my life I had thought that he was a cold man, and when I came to know about the love he had for me, I did not get a chance to apologise.

“Ha, you think anyone would believe you. Everyone would think I torment you when your father leaves for the work, and now apologising to me in the four walls of room when no one is here. What changes can it bring? You have already smeared my image, as a good mother in front of everyone.” the more she spoke, the more my brows furrowed. How did my love for my father had anything to do with her?

And what did she mean by the four walls of the room, did she want me to apologise to her in front of everyone. I was already showing the best of my courtesy, yet the lady was not satisfied!

“I understand mother, then allow me a chance to apologise in front of everyone during dinner,” I said in a meek voice and finally the lines from her forehead dissipated, and she nodded.

“Very well, then clean your face. It is looking uglier with all the crying. As a noble you should always be presentable even if you are not beautiful, to begin with.” she added and I nodded.

“Of course, mother. I will try to learn this from you.” I replied, with a sweet smile and the woman furrowed her brows again.

“What do you mean, Abigail?” she asked in a rather sharp voice, gone was her wet and pitiful voice in a second.

I looked at her innocently as if I did not call her ugly just now, “is there something wrong with my wordings mother. I wanted to say that I will learn the art of presentation from you, after all, you are the mistress of the house.” ‘because of my bad luck’ i added in the same meek voice and she finally nodded getting satisfied and walked towards the door.

I looked in the mirror once she was gone. My emerald eyes had turned red and puffy, and my perfectly combed golden hair had turned messy, my heart-shaped face and chiselled jaw had marks of dried tears.

I sighed as I moved followed by Beth who was looking at me with worried eyes.

How could I have a meal with him when I showed my ugliness? I tried not to go anyway, but I eventually went when I remembered my stepmother brooding face.

“Come on in!”

My father was already waiting for me. I walked in, still feeling awkward.

Everyone looked at me as if waiting for a good show, I was sure there was a proud smile on my mother’s face, she must be waiting for the apology.

“I’m sorry for being late, father.” I bowed slightly as I sat down beside Nickolas. My father was in the chair of the head of the house, my stepmother was on his left side and after that was Isabella. Nicholas was on his right side, before me.

Huh? Did he wince at me? As his motion was so small, I did not know if I had seen it well.

I tilted my head while moving my fork in silence. Why is he making such an expression? Is he displeased with my behaviour because of what had happened at the entrance door, my eyes down casted at the thought.

“Father, i apologise, for my behavior at the entrance. I had seen a very bad dream at that time, and I was traumatised by it when I came to greet you, and my emotions took over me. I promise, I will not break decorum next time.” i apologised with a bow, but his face turned further ugly

“You don’t look good. Are you okay, father?”

This time his motion was rather big. Didn’t he really like the food?

“Oh, no.”

“You look uncomfortable. Are you really alright?”

“I’m fine.”

“Then, what’s the matter with you? If you tell me, let me tell them to correct it immediately. ”

I asked him again why he was acting unnaturally today. He was silent for a long time, with his face hardened, and then said finally, “Why don’t you call me like you did before?”

“Pardon?”