Rise of the Formidable Ex-wife (Lucia and Alex) novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Morning light filtered through the mansion windows. Bright. Clean. Everything looked the same.

Except it wasn’t.

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Margaret stood in the kitchen wearing an apron. Not hers. She’d found it hanging on the hook. Floral pattern/Soft from years of washing.

She tied it around her waist.

Marie, the maid who’d worked here for twelve years, moved around the kitchen. Quiet. Efficient. Her face carefully blank.

“Good morning, Marie,” Margaret said. Voice sweet.

“Good morning, Miss Margaret.” Marie didn’t look at her. Just kept wiping the counter.

Miss Margaret. Not Mrs. Hart.

Not yet.

“Let me help with breakfast,” Margaret said. “I want to learn the routine.”

Marie’s hand paused. Then continued wiping.

“That’s not necessary, miss. I can handle it.”

“I insist.” Margaret moved to the stove. “Marco will be down soon. The kids too. I want everything perfect.”

Marie said nothing. Started cracking eggs.

Margaret watched her movements. The way she knew exactly where everything was. How many eggs Marco preferred. How Monica liked her toast.

Twelve years of muscle memory.

“Marie,” Margaret said. “Can you show me how Marco likes his coffee?”

The maid’s shoulders stiffened. “His coffee?”

“Yes. I want to make it for him.”

Marie set down the eggs. Walked to the coffee maker. Stiff. Controlled.

“Mrs. Hart always made his coffee,” Marie said. Voice flat.

Mrs. Hart. Not Lucia.

The correction was subtle. But there.

“Well, I’m here now,” Margaret said. Smiled. “So I should learn.”

Marie’s jaw tightened. “Two scoops. Strong. Cream. Not too much.”

“Show me.”

Marie measured the coffee. Poured the water. Her hands shook slightly.

14:17 Sat, May 30

Chapter 7

Margaret noticed. Good.

RICA

The coffee brewed. The smell filled the kitchen. Rich. Strong.

Footsteps on the stairs. Marco appeared. Hair wet from the shower. Dressed for work.

“Good morning,” he said. Kissed Margaret’s cheek.

Not her lips. Her cheek.

Margaret smiled through the sting. “Coffee’s almost ready.”

“Great. Busy day.” He sat. Picked up his phone. Started scrolling.

Margaret poured the coffee. Added cream. Just like Marie showed her.

She set it in front of him. Waited.

Marco took a sip. His face changed.

“Something wrong?” Margaret asked.

“It tastes different.”

“Different how?”

“I don’t know. Just off.”

Marie spoke from the stove. Voice quiet. “Mrs. Hart always made your coffee, sir. Every morning.”

Marco frowned. “It’s just coffee, Marie. Not special.”

“She made it for seventeen years.”

Marco set down his cup. Hard. “And? That doesn’t make it magic. It’s coffee. Anyone can make coffee.”

Marie turned back to the eggs. Silent.

Margaret watched the exchange. Careful.

“I’ll get better at it,” she said. Kept her voice light. “Just need practice.”

Marco smiled at her. “You’re already better than her. At everything.”

The words should have felt like victory.

They felt hollow.

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Footsteps thundered down the stairs. Ria appeared first. Hair perfect. Makeup done. Lucas behind her. Monica last, still in pajamas.

“Morning,” Ria said. Sat. Looked at her phone.

“Good morning, sweetie,” Margaret said. “Breakfast is almost ready.”

“Cool.”

Lucas grabbed juice from the fridge. Drank from the carton.

14:17 Sat, May 30

Chapter 7

Lucas, Marco said. “Use a glass.”

“Why? No one else drinks this.”

“Because I said so.”

Lucas shrugged. Poured juice. Spilled some.

Marie immediately moved to clean it.

Monica climbed onto a stool. “What’s for breakfast?”

“Eggs and toast. And bacon.”

“Mom makes them different,” Monica said. Matter of fact.

The kitchen went quiet.

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Marco’s face hardened. “Mom isn’t here anymore, Monica. Margaret is making breakfast now. And doing a better job.”

Monica looked at her plate. Said nothing.

Margaret brought the food to the table. Eggs. Toast. Bacon. Perfectly arranged.

“This looks amazing,” Ria said. Actually looked up. “Way better presentation.”

“Thanks, honey.” Margaret sat. Smiled.

Lucas took a bite. “These are good.”

“Better than Mom’s?” Marco asked.

Lucas shrugged. ‘Different. But good.”

Marco looked at Monica. “What about you?”

Monica chewed slowly. “They’re okay.”

“Okay?” Marco’s voice had an edge. “Just okay?”

They’re good. Yeah.”

“Better than your mom’s?”

Monica hesitated. “Yeah. Better.”

The lie was obvious.

But Marco smiled. “See? Margaret is an upgrade.”

Upgrade. Like a phone. A car. Something replaceable.

Breakfast continued. Chatter about school. About work. About plans.

Normal.

Except for the empty chair.

The one no one mentioned.

14:17 Sat, May 30

Chapter 7

Ria left first. Then Lucas. Monica lingered.

She stood by the door. Looked back at the table.

“What is it?” Marco asked.

“Nothing.” Monica turned to leave. Stopped. “Did Mom. Did she say anything? Before she left?”

Margaret’s breath caught.

Marco’s face went cold. “Why are you asking about her?”

“I just. I don’t know. I just wondered.”

“She left, Monica. She didn’t care enough to say goodbye. That tells you everything you need to know?

Monica’s face crumpled. Just for a second. Then she smoothed it out. “Okay. Bye.”

She left.

Margaret stared at the door.

That look. That brief moment of pain.

The first crack.

Marco kissed Margaret goodbye. “Dinner at seven?”

“I’ll make something special.”

He left.

The house went quiet.

Margaret stood in the kitchen. Marie at the sink. Washing dishes.

“What was she like?” Margaret asked. “Really?”

Marie’s hands stopped.

“I’m curious,” Margaret continued. “Everyone says she was terrible. But you worked for her twelve years.”

Marie turned. Her face blank. But her eyes were ice.

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“Mrs. Hart was kind,” Marie said. Cold. Controlled. “She remembered my birthday. Asked about my daughter. Let me leave early when my mother was sick. She treated me like a person.”

The words hit hard.

“She loved this family,” Marie continued. “Even when they didn’t love her back.”

“Marie.”

“I’ll finish the dishes, miss.” Marie turned back to the sink. “Then start the laundry.”

Dismissed.

Margaret untied the apron. Set it on the counter.

14:17 Sat, May 30

Chapter 7

Walked to the living room.

Photos on the mantle. Wedding day. Babies. Vacations. Christmases.

Seventeen years.

She picked up a photo. The woman in it smiled. Holding baby Ria. Pure joy on her face.

That woman was gone now.

And Margaret had helped destroy her.

She should feel guilty.

She didn’t.

She felt victorious.

Margaret walked upstairs. To the master bedroom.

Clothes still in the closet. Things on the dresser. A faint scent in the air.

Perfume. Subtle. Floral.

Still here. Still clinging.