The Billionaire's Insignificant Wife novel Chapter 129

Last Stand

The next morning, Junior woke up listless.

He hadn’t slept well last night. Nightmares kept coming even though Clarissa held him until morning.

He went down to the dining room with lazy steps. His face gloomy.

Clarissa, still upset and sleep-deprived from the whole night, tried to look cheerful. Smiled widely when Junior sat in his chair.

“Good morning, darling. Sleep well?”

Junior shook his head slightly. Didn’t answer with words.

Clarissa suppressed a frustrated sigh. She pulled out a chair and sat beside Junior.

The servants began serving breakfast.

But Junior just stared at the plate in front of him without touching it.

His eyes swept the large dining room.

Empty.

Usually his grandmother sat at the end of the table. His father in the head chair. And lately Alina in the farthest chair.

But this time, only him and Clarissa.

The long table felt too vast. Too quiet.

“Mama,” Junior finally asked. His voice small. “Where is everyone?”

Clarissa picked up her fork. Cut the egg on her own plate with calm movements.

“Papa left for work very early. Important meeting.”

“And Grandma?”

Clarissa paused briefly. Then continued cutting her egg.

“Grandma doesn’t live here anymore. Starting yesterday she moved to an apartment in the city.”

Junior stared at Clarissa with wide eyes. “Why?”

Clarissa put down her fork. Looked at Junior with a fake sad expression.

“Because Grandma and Papa had a fight, darling.”

“Fight about what?”

Clarissa drew a deep breath. As if this was a difficult conversation for her.

“About Alina.”

Junior furrowed his brow. “What did she do?”

“She made Papa and Grandma not get along anymore. Grandma doesn’t like Alina being in this house. But Papa forced her to stay. So Grandma left.”

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Clarissa spoke in a soft tone. Stating facts without sounding like she was badmouthing.

But her words were perfectly arranged to make Junior draw his own conclusions.

Junior stared at his plate with a hardened jaw.

“That woman is evil,” he said softly but firmly. “She made Papa and Grandma fight.”

Clarissa was stunned.

Then smiled inwardly.

Pleased to hear Junior hating Alina.

She leaned closer. Lowered her voice to almost a whisper so the servants in the corner of the room wouldn’t hear.

“Yes. Alina is an evil woman. That’s why Junior must be careful. Never be alone with her. Understand?”

Junior’s still-hard face nodded seriously.

“I understand, Mama.”

Clarissa fed Junior with satisfaction. Watching the child finally begin to eat with a suppressed annoyed expression.

Junior chewed his bread slowly. His mind digesting the information he’d just received.

Alina was evil.

Alina made his father and grandmother fight.

Alina made his grandmother leave the house.

All Alina’s fault.

But there was something in his heart that didn’t want to accept it.

Something that whispered this wasn’t right.

Junior stared at the quiet dining room.

His heart wasn’t unfamiliar with conditions like this.

Breakfast just the two of them without father and grandmother.

The long empty table.

Silence only filled with the sound of forks and plates.

It felt familiar.

It felt like it had happened before.

But Junior’s already-manipulated mind quickly dismissed that feeling.

No. This was Alina’s fault.

She was the one who made everyone leave.

She was the one who destroyed his family.

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Junior clenched his hands under the table.

Alina was evil.

He had to remember that.

***

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In the corner of the dining room, Mrs. Helen stood silently watching the conversation between Clarissa and Junior.

Her chest felt tight.

Junior looked anxious. Restless. His eyes sometimes stared blankly as if searching for something lost.

But Mrs. Helen couldn’t say anything.

Couldn’t defend Alina.

Couldn’t tell the truth to a small child being slowly manipulated.

Because she was just a servant.

Her position didn’t allow her to interfere in family matters.

But at least there was one thing she could do.

Mrs. Helen waited until Clarissa and Junior finished breakfast. Until they left to prepare for school.

Then she moved quickly.

Mrs. Helen met the young servant assigned to deliver food to Alina’s room.

“Let me take it,” she said while taking the tray from the girl’s hands.

The young servant hesitated. “But Mrs. Margaret said I’m the one who should take care of Mrs. Alina.”

“Mrs. Margaret isn’t here anymore. She’s already moved. And I’m the head housekeeper. I’m the one who decides who does what.”

Mrs. Helen spoke in a firm tone that couldn’t be disputed.

The young servant nodded slowly. “Yes, ma’am.”

Mrs. Helen took the tray. Walked toward the dark corridor in the east wing,

Toward Alina’s secluded room.

As soon as she arrived, her steps stopped. Mr. Harris and several people appeared to be standing guard around there.

“Mrs. Helen. What are you doing?”

Mr. Harris’s voice was sharp. Suspicious.

Mrs. Helen stopped. Lifted the tray slightly.

“Delivering breakfast for Mrs. Alina. The servant usually assigned is doing something more important.”

Mr. Harris stared at her sharply. “As I recall, Mrs. Margaret forbade you from approaching Mrs. Alina.”

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“Mrs. Margaret no longer lives here. And this is my duty as head housekeeper. Making sure all guests and residents of the house are well served.”

Mr. Harris fell silent.

Then took out his phone. He typed quickly.

Mrs. Helen waited with a pounding heart.

A few seconds later, Mr. Harris’s phone rang.

He read the incoming message. His expression didn’t change.

“Mr. Daniel permits it,” he said finally. “But I’ll watch from outside.”

Mrs. Helen nodded. “As you wish.”

She walked past Mr. Harris toward Alina’s room.

Drew a relieved breath when the man didn’t stop her again.

***

Mrs. Helen stopped in front of Alina’s room door.

Knocked softly. “Ma’am? I brought breakfast.”

No answer.

Mrs. Helen waited a few seconds. Then turned the doorknob.

Not locked.

She entered slowly.

And was immediately shocked.

The room was a mess.

Blankets scattered on the floor. Pillows everywhere. Yesterday’s food still intact on the table, untouched.

And Alina.

Alina sat curled in the corner between the bed and the wall.

Her hair disheveled. Her face pale with swollen eyes. Her right cheek bruised bluish.

Her nightgown wrinkled and dirty.

She stared blankly ahead. Didn’t move when Mrs. Helen entered.

Didn’t react at all.

Mrs. Helen almost dropped the tray she was carrying.

“Good Lord, Miss,” she said in a trembling voice. “What happened to you?”

Mrs. Helen immediately went deeper into the room.

She placed the tray on the bedside table with trembling hands.

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Then approached the corner where Alina was curled up.

“Miss Alina,” she called softly. “Can you hear me?”

No response.

Alina kept staring blankly. Her body didn’t move at all.

Mrs. Helen knelt in front of her. Trying to see Alina’s face more clearly.

The bruise on her right cheek was bluish. Swollen. Must be very painful.

Puffy eyes with swollen lids from crying too much.

Cracked dry lips.

Mrs. Helen felt tears filling her own eyes.

“Miss,” she whispered in a trembling voice. “Did Mr. Daniel do this to you? Did he hit you?”

Alina didn’t answer with words.

But suddenly her body trembled. A soft sob came from her lips.

Tears began flowing again on her pale cheeks.

Alina sobbed soundlessly.

Remembering what Daniel had done to her.

Hard slaps. Brutal force. Unbearable pain.

Everything filled her mind again.

Mrs. Helen couldn’t hold back anymore. She hugged Alina carefully.

Embraced the woman’s thin and trembling body.

Stroked her back gently to calm her.

“Be calm, Miss. Be calm,” Mrs. Helen whispered softly. Her voice almost inaudible. “You’re not alone. Miss Emma knows. She promised to come. She’ll keep fighting for you.”

Alina still cried softly in Mrs. Helen’s embrace, But her lips moved, Uttering a name faintly.

“Emma…”

Alina’s voice was almost inaudible. Like a wind whisper.

But Mrs. Helen heard it.

She tightened her embrace slightly. Not releasing Alina.

Speaking very softly with her lips almost touching Alina’s ear so only she could hear.

“Yes, Miss Emma. She promised to come get you. Take you out of this house.”

Alina closed her eyes.

Tears continued flowing, wetting her swollen cheeks.

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A little relief emerged hearing that.

A little hope appearing amid total destruction.

Emma.

Her best friend who kept pushing forward to defend her even though Alina herself had forbidden it.

Who never gave up despite being rejected repeatedly.

Alina was so grateful.

But also cursed her own stupidity.

She who easily trusted Daniel. Who had hoped in that man. Who thought maybe this time Daniel really changed.

Turned out all she got was pain and destruction.

Daniel was a bastard who had ruined everything. Including the last right Alina had over her own body.

Alina opened her eyes slowly.

Vowed in her heart, she would leave this house soon. No matter how. No matter having to leave Junior.

She had to get out before Daniel destroyed her even further.

Alina whispered back. Her voice very soft. Almost inaudible even though their lips were very close.

“Mrs. Helen,” Alina said faintly. “Could you please tell Emma? I want to report the violence.”

Mrs. Helen stiffened in Alina’s embrace.

Her body rigid for a moment.

But she didn’t release Alina. Instead kept hugging her so from outside it looked like she was comforting.

This position allowed them to talk without looking suspicious.

“Are you sure, Miss?” Mrs. Helen whispered back. “That will cause big trouble.”

Alina whispered again. Softer. More desperate.

“Daniel already committed violence against me. Not just hitting. More than that.”

Her voice trembled saying it.

Mrs. Helen closed her eyes. Her chest tight.

She understood what Alina meant without needing further explanation.

“Mrs. Helen,” Alina whispered again. “Please photograph my injuries now. Secretly. As evidence.”

Mrs. Helen was confused. That was too risky.

Mr. Harris was outside. Could enter anytime if he suspected something.

But then Alina whispered again. One word full of desperation.

“Please!”

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That voice was so faint. So broken. So pleading.

Mrs. Helen couldn’t refuse.

She nodded slowly in their embrace.

“Alright, Miss,” she whispered. “I’ll do it.”

Mrs. Helen released her embrace slowly.

Stood and returned to the table. Took the food tray she’d brought earlier.

“Miss must eat,” she said in a louder voice. Loud enough to be heard by Mr. Harris outside if he was listening. Your body needs nutrition.”

Mrs. Helen sat on the bed beside Alina. Took a spoon and spooned warm porridge.

Coaxed Alina gently.

Alina hesitated. Didn’t want to eat.

But seeing Mrs. Helen’s meaningful look, she understood.

If Mrs. Helen fed her, the woman could stay longer in this room. Have more time to take photos without rushing.