Chapter 10
650words
I lounged on the sofa, studying the three faces arranged opposite me like judges at a tribunal.
Loki's mother glared at her son before turning to me with barely concealed contempt. "You disappeared without a word, and now crawl back when you can't survive on your own. Is the Dalton family your personal safety net?" She sighed dramatically. "But fine. Since you once gave Loki a child, you may stay."
"Mother Dalton—" Cynthia began to protest.
Loki's mother squeezed Cynthia's hand to silence her. "But understand this, Alice—Cindy is Loki's wife now. You cannot reclaim your former position. If you wish to stay, you'll earn your keep. We need household help, and you've always been good with... domestic tasks."
I glanced at Loki, who stared at his shoes in silence.
I crossed my legs slowly and said simply: "No."
Loki's mother bristled. "Excuse me?"
"Since I've returned, I expect to resume my position as Mrs. Dalton," I said with a slight smile.
Their collective shock was almost comical.
Loki's expression turned pained. "Alice, you abandoned us without a word. I searched everywhere for you! During that time, Cindy supported me through everything. How can you expect me to divorce her just because you've decided to return?"
Same script, different day.
Cynthia's face darkened with rage. "Know your place, Alice. You're nothing but trash from the gutter!"
"Shut your mouth," I said quietly, my tone making her freeze mid-breath.
I repeated slowly, enunciating each word: "I will only accept the position of Mrs. Dalton. If you prefer the maid's role, it's all yours. I won't fight you for it."
Loki's mother slammed her palm on the coffee table. "Have you lost your mind? Cindy is the lady of this house! You—a divorced runaway—think you can waltz back and take her place?"
Loki frowned, his tone condescending. "Alice, stop creating drama. You bear equal responsibility for our past troubles."
"Didn't you beg me to stay?" I leaned back, fixing Loki with a cool stare. "My terms are simple. First, publicly announce that I am the rightful Mrs. Dalton. Second, begin divorce proceedings with Cynthia immediately. She's welcome to stay—we'll always need household staff, won't we?"
"You shameless whore!" Cynthia shrieked, lunging toward me with raised hand.
"Alice, look out—" Loki moved to intervene.
But I didn't even rise. Just tilted my head slightly, caught her wrist with one fluid motion, and—
—twisted while simultaneously sweeping her legs from under her.
THUD.
Cynthia crashed to the floor in an ungraceful heap, one shoe flying across the room.
She clutched her wrist, face contorted. "My—my hand!"
The room fell into stunned silence.
Loki's mother gaped at me. "You—how dare—this is outrageous!"
I smoothed my pajamas and said calmly, "Sorry. Old reflexes."
Loki stared at me, dumbfounded. "Where did you learn to—"
"Don't look so shocked," I cut him off. "Make your choice, Loki. Her or me."
Time seemed suspended.
"I... Alice, this isn't fair. You can't just reappear after three years and demand—"
Cynthia scrambled to her feet, face ashen. "You delusional bitch! He only married you because you looked like me! You were always just a substitute! Do you honestly think you can become the real thing?"
"Enough, Cynthia!" Loki snapped. "Yes, I was first drawn to Alice because of your resemblance. But Alice became something different. We shared four years together, from college through marriage. All those memories belong to Alice and me."
I felt a flicker of surprise. So in his mind, I wasn't just a replacement after all.
How pathetically irrelevant now.
"Alright," I announced.
Loki turned to me, hope flickering in his eyes. "Alice?"
"I've changed my mind."
Loki's face brightened. "That's wonderful. As long as you behave, I'll give you anything you need—"
I smiled coldly. "I no longer want to be Mrs. Dalton."
