Chapter 24 Tables Turned
Irene was about to blow her top.
Finished
She’d spent her whole life bossing people around back in the village. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she’d be shut down by a girl like Evelyn.
Since her usual insults weren’t working, she was ready to switch tactics and go physical.
But Evelyn had already backed off.
She knew Irene’s usual routine by heart: First, she yelled, then she slapped, and finally, she’d throw a full- on fit. Evelyn wasn’t interested in wasting time on that circus.
So, standing calmly by the dining table, she said in a slow, cool voice, “Grandma, you’ve had a long ride into the city. You must be tired. I’m exhausted-it’s been a long day.”
Then she walked toward the stairs, headed straight to her room, and closed the door behind her.
Irene chased after her, banging on the door like she was ready to rip it off the hinges.
But Evelyn never answered.
Irene couldn’t do much else. It wasn’t like she could just break the door down.
If Zaid or Yvonne came back and saw the mess, she’d end up taking the blame.
As much of a bully as she was, Irene knew better than to cause trouble for herself.
Still fuming, she stomped back down the stairs.
But in her head, the plan was already forming. As soon as Zaid comes home, I’ll spill everything.
With his short temper, he’ll definitely put Evelyn in her place.
She grinned just thinking about it.
Right then, a car engine rumbled outside.
She quickly threw herself onto the couch and made herself look pitiful, as if she’d just been horribly mistreated.
The second Zaid walks in and sees me like this, he’ll ask what happened.
Then I’ll cry, make a big scene, and say Evelyn wished me dead.
It’s foolproof!
But when Zaid came through the door, he didn’t even look at her.
He walked past like she wasn’t there, heading straight to his room.
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“Ahem, Zaid,” Irene called out, doing her best to sound hurt. “I’m right here, and you’re not even going to
greet me?”
Zaid finally turned his head and gave her a quick glance. He barely paused. “Oh. Hi, Irene.”
“What’s this? If I’d known this was the kind of welcome I’d get, I should’ve-”
Bang!
Before she could even finish, the bedroom door slammed shut.
That thin little door blocked her off completely. She couldn’t even get the rest of her words out.
She sat there in stunned silence. What the heck is going on?
Even my son-in-law is acting cold now?
No wonder Evelyn is acting out-she’s just copying Zaid.
So angry she could barely breathe, Irene turned and spotted Yvonne walking in, shoulders slumped, looking defeated.
Unlike how she treated Evelyn or Zaid, Irene always went easy on her daughter.
She rushed over, grabbed Yvonne’s arm, and started whining. “Yvonne, what is wrong with your man? I came all this way, and he didn’t even greet me-just acted like I wasn’t even here. What, does he think I’m some useless old lady? If that’s how it is, I won’t stay and embarrass you. I’ll pack up and leave right now!”
She raised her voice on purpose, loud enough for Zaid to hear through the wall.
On a normal day, he would’ve come back out to smooth things over.
Zaid had always been the kind of guy who cared a lot about appearances.
If his mother-in-law stormed off in the middle of the night and the neighbors caught wind of it, who knew what kind of rumors would be flying around by morning?
Irene knew that about him. That was why she didn’t hold back-she purposely raised her voice and threw a fit, confident it would force him out.
But this time Zaid didn’t budge,
Even Yvonne, standing right next to her, frowned and said sharply, “Mom, just stop already. Today’s been a nightmare.”
That plan they’d cooked up had completely backfired. Alice was still nowhere to be found. And to make things worse, Seth’s mother was losing it down at the police station, yelling about how Alice had gone after
her son on purpose.
If none of that had happened, Zaid wouldn’t be this cold.
But Irene had no idea what had gone down.
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Grinding her teeth, she glared at Yvonne. “So now you think I’m just some annoying old hag? Don’t forget -it was you who begged me to come! You think I want to be running around like this at my age, taking the bus like some nobody?”
Yvonne panicked and quickly reached to cover Irene’s mouth. “Mom, shhh! Keep your voice down! Don’t let Zaid hear. And don’t you dare mention I asked you to come here ever again.”
The whole reason she’d invited Irene over was to back Alice up.
But there was nothing left to fight for anymore.
Alice’s name was ruined. She was done.
Still clueless, Irene kept pressing for details.
So Yvonne finally broke down and told her exactly what had happened.
When she finished, Irene clutched her chest and gasped, completely floored.
This is what I’ve walked into?
Terrified, she grabbed Yvonne’s arm. “What’s Zaid thinking about all this?”
That one question finally made something stir in Yvonne’s heart.
My mother really knows me well.
She sniffled and shook her head. “I don’t know. You saw how he treated you earlier. He’s really mad. I’m honestly scared…”
“I’m scared too!”
Irene looked like a mess, pacing back and forth in circles.
Her curved back stuck out like a hump, wobbling with every step she took.
“Mom, please help me figure something out. After Zaid cools off tomorrow, could you talk to him for me?” Yvonne asked.
Irene agreed right away.
But just as Yvonne started to relax, Irene dropped a bomb.
“Don’t worry. I won’t let you guys end up divorced no matter what.”
Divorce? That’s not even the issue here!
Yvonne almost fainted. “Mom, Alice’s safety is on the line! I need you to help me calm Zaid down, not go
on about divorce!”
But Irene just waved it off like she didn’t care.
“You two brought this on yourselves. No one forced you. I say just marry that boy off to Alice and be done
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with it. Drag this out any longer and Zaid might lose his job. Don’t forget-your brother still needs his help to get that state ID.”
Alice’s danger meant nothing to her.
All Irene really cared about was that her son didn’t lose his shot at getting a state ID.
Yvonne hadn’t even thought about that before.
She stood frozen, completely stunned, her lips parting slightly but no sound coming out. That bitter taste in her mouth rose fast, and her eyes went blurry.
Her life meant less to Irene than her brother’s paperwork.
She didn’t say a word. She couldn’t.
She waved her hand tiredly and headed upstairs, staggering a bit.
Irene tried to follow, but Yvonne spun around and shouted, “Don’t come up!”
That one sentence shattered the last of her strength. She just needed to breathe. She stepped out onto the second-floor balcony, hoping the air would clear her thoughts.
But no matter how she turned it around in her head, it didn’t make sense.
How could Mom say something like that? How could she be so cold, so selfish, ready to throw Alice under the bus for an
ID?
What kind of grandma does that?
As she walked past the hallway, she glanced at the rooms Alice and Evelyn stayed in.
She paused. Then slowly pushed open Evelyn’s door.
After Irene had gone back downstairs earlier, Evelyn had unlocked it again. So when Yvonne tried the knob, it turned without a problem.
She stepped inside and instantly felt her scalp prickle. Even her breathing got tight.
48
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Reborn for Love and Revenge
