Danielle lowered her eyes, glancing at Paula with a look so cold it made Paula pause in surprise.
She’d never acted this distant before—not in front of her, at least. Paula couldn’t even recall when Danielle had started to change, as if she’d become a completely different person. Words hovered on Paula’s lips, but she didn't know what to say.
The heavy scent of burning candles and incense drifted through the funeral hall, pressing down on everyone’s mood.
Danielle turned away, her tone flat and indifferent. “I’m going to the restroom.”
She didn’t care about Paula’s reaction, or what the rest of the Davidson family thought. None of it had anything to do with her.
The elderly Mrs. Davidson gave Danielle a gentle look and smiled kindly. “Don’t be long.”
Bianca let out a sharp laugh. “Ask a daughter-in-law to help out and it’s always something—either she can’t do this or that’s not good enough. Other people’s daughters-in-law are eager to lend a hand, but not ours.”
She shot Danielle a look, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Say a word or two to her, and she gets all huffy with me.”
Mrs. Davidson’s expression darkened. “A daughter-in-law isn’t a servant. If you want more help, hire someone.”
“Did I ever treat you poorly when you married into this family?” she added, her voice steely.
As a daughter-in-law herself, Bianca had no response. She fell silent, biting back whatever retort she’d been about to make.
Danielle had no interest in arguing at a funeral. She slipped outside for some air, deciding she’d return when it truly mattered.
Outside, a little boy was playing with a remote control plane. He looked crestfallen—the plane refused to fly, the controller limp in his hand.
Danielle walked over, crouching down beside him. “This kind of toy plane isn’t waterproof. If water gets inside, the wiring shorts out, and it won’t fly.”
The boy looked up at her, his eyes suddenly bright, as if she’d just performed a miracle. “Really?” He stood up, hopeful. “Ma’am, is it still fixable? My uncle bought it for me…”
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