Isabella didn’t have much stuff in her room, so packing up took no time at all.
Susan was about to head upstairs to help, but Jennifer called out to stop her. “Susan, you’re done for today. Go ahead and clock out.”
Susan hesitated, a little thrown. “Jennifer, my shift’s not over yet. Once Isabella’s finished, I still need to help you carry your suitcase upstairs.”
Jennifer waved her off. “I don’t need your help. Let Isabella do it. What’s wrong with her waiting on me for once? When my sister-in-law married my brother, she used to get up early every single day to make breakfast for the whole family. She’d wait for my mom to finish eating before she’d even sit down herself. That lasted until she gave birth to my nephew.”
“She never complained, not once.”
Jennifer’s sister-in-law didn’t come from much, and her brother, just like Ethan, insisted on marrying her even though the family objected. In the end, the elders had to give in. Ethan was really close to that uncle of ours, so maybe he got it from him.
After she got married, Jennifer’s sister-in-law basically acted like a maid for her mother-in-law for two years, never saying a word, just quietly earning her place in the family. Once she had a son, she finally secured her spot.
With Jennifer making those comparisons, Susan really didn’t know what to say. She didn’t leave early, though. Instead, she just stayed and chatted with Jennifer.
Meanwhile, Isabella moved her things into the guest room on the west side of the house, farther from Ethan’s room and much quieter. She changed the sheets in her old room, cleaned up, then walked to the top of the stairs. “Susan,” she called, “Jennifer’s room is ready. Can you help her bring up her suitcase?”
Jennifer was fuming, practically shaking with anger, but Isabella was already gone. She jabbed a finger in the direction Isabella had disappeared and complained to Susan, “See that? Does she have any respect for me as her elder? Cynthia has no idea how to raise a child. Look at how disrespectful she turned out.”
“I told Ethan her manners were terrible and we should hire someone to teach her, but he wouldn’t listen. No manners. No upbringing. Honestly, it’s a disgrace.”
Susan tried to calm her down. “Isabella already cleaned your room. That was thoughtful. The suitcase is heavy, and she’s probably tired from work. Maybe give her a break.”
Jennifer scoffed. “No one told her to get a job. She has it easy here but insists on working outside. I’d love to see what she thinks she can accomplish. Open a shop? Please. If I want her business to fail, it will.”

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