When I didn't dodge, she paused for a second, confused, but her voice remained vicious.
"My husband told me everything. You love bullying him."
"You even drugged me and my husband! You bullied me because I'm a fool! You wanted to ruin us!"
"A bad person like you—the fool girl curses you to die a horrible death!"
A boulder smashed into my chest. I bit my lip until copper flooded my mouth, my voice trembling.
"I brought people to save you..."
She scoffed, cutting me off. Her gaze was strange—wary and sharp.
"I don't believe you!"
"When the fool girl isn't foolish anymore, I'm going to get revenge on you! I'm going to kill you, you bad person!"
Her eyes were completely clear. The hatred wasn't part of her act.
She genuinely believed my brother's lies.
The last ember of warmth in my heart extinguished.
I wiped away my tears, shoved her aside, and walked away.
Behind me, I heard her go into the bridal chamber to comfort my brother.
I walked into the woodshed.
My brother had thrown all my belongings in there. My clothes and books were torn to shreds, a deliberate mess.
Head bowed, I began to clean up the debris of my life.
Through the thin wall, the woman's voice drifted in—gentle, sweet, coaxing.